For most people Christmas Day is a chance to unwind and take a break from the daily grind, but for many high-calibre athletes, like Jasperite Cory Wallace, the holidays are no time to relax.
On Dec. 25, when people are unwrapping gifts, Wallace will be completing the final stage of a 12-day bike race in Costa Rica.
Known as Vuelta de Costa Rica, it is considered Costa Rica’s version of the Tour of France and takes riders on a 1,400 km tour around the country, including a 75 km climb to 10,000 feet above sea level, which is the highest point on the Pan-American Highway.
“It’s one of the biggest climbs you find anywhere in the world for a road race,” said Wallace, who usually competes in mountain bike races.
For Wallace, the road race is an opportunity to get back in shape for the upcoming mountain bike season, which officially kicks off in New Zealand in February.
“It’s a nice way to kick off next year because we just had our off season and we’re a long ways from our best fitness, so we came down here to get in shape and see the countryside,” said Wallace, who is sponsored by Kona Bikes and Freewheel Cycle.
“I’m looking forward to getting back on the mountain bike. This road racing stuff is just a game, it’s great to get you fit, but my passion lies in mountain biking,” said Wallace.
Riding with a team of four other Canadians, he said the men have so far done better than they expected.
“We’ve just been plugging away,” said Wallace, during an interview from Costa Rica on Dec. 21.
“One of our teammates won the second stage and I was in a break away in the third stage and just missed the podium,” he said, explaining they try to win the flat stages because Costa Rican teams are nearly impossible to beat during the mountain stages.
“Whenever we hit the mountains, the Costa Ricans just take off because they are really good mountain climbers.
“They’re just so small, 110 pounds, they’re like little mountain goats,” he said with a chuckle.
“If we came down here in peak fitness we would be able to compete with these guys for a podium spot overall, but right now we’re at the bottom of our season and they’re at the top of their season.”
Wallace’s team is currently riding for a non-profit organization called One Percent For the Planet, which financially supports thousands of organizations working to protect the environment.
In February, Wallace and his team will head to New Zealand to compete in a seven-day mountain bike race across the south island, followed by a world 24-hour mountain bike race two weeks later.
“One of my goals next year is to try to win the world 24-hour championship,” said Wallace.
That isn’t a far stretch for Wallace, who came in fourth place at the World Solo 24-Hour Championships in Weaverville, Cali. in October.
Paul Clarke
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