Three-time 24-hour solo world champion Rebecca Rusch tops the bill ahead of La Ruta de los Conquistadores, a four-day mountain bike stage race that traverses Costa Rica from the Pacific to the Carribean coast.

Rusch arrives in Costa Rica for the November 17-20 race in fine fettle having won the women’s Leadville 100, breaking the course record en-route.

And the American insists she can emerge victorious and improve on her fourth place finish from 2005.  

“Now that I have more experience and knowledge of bike racing, I want to come back and see if I can improve on my placing,” she said. “La Ruta is also one of the oldest and most known endurance mountain bike events, so I have to come back and try again.”

Rusch will face stiff competition from compatriot and four-time winner Louise Kobin, while local favourite Adriana Rojas will look to add a second title to her 2008 triumph.

Kobin said: “After missing my favourite race, La Ruta de los Conquistadores, last year due to a broken foot, I am really looking forward to racing again.”

Event organiser Pipa Leon added: “La Ruta is an adventure that is a perfect fit for the mind and body of an extreme woman endurance athlete.  It is an experience that women will enjoy and a race where they can excel year after year.”