The word ‘intelligent’ always seems to spring to mind when describing Rui Costa’s style. His ability to time his attacks, to outwit his rivals and execute strategies has helped him grab the coveted rainbow jersey and be crowned world champion.
Last September, Costa won an incredible mind game against Spanish veteran Joaquim Rodriguez in a tense two-up sprint at the end of a gripping final lap of racing in Florence to become Portugal’s first elite men’s world champion.
But while the pundits are quick to laud his cerebral prowess, Costa prefers to call it instinct.
The 27-year-old initially got into cycling because of his father Manuel, who was a fan of the sport and owned a “gorgeous red bike with brake-lever shifters”.
When Costa was competing in a series of challenge events for juniors in his hometown Porto, his father provided him with the perfect motivation. Should he win the challenge, the red bike would be his. It was all Costa needed to get the victory, and he’s not looked back.
“I don’t know if I won in Florence because of intelligence or just instinct. For me it’s instinct,” Costa told Sport360° ahead of the start of the Dubai Tour today.
Some people think a repeat in this year’s world championships is a stretch for the Portuguese but he’s approaching the challenge with a relaxed attitude.
“If I’ve won it once, then I’ll just try to win another. It’s important that I stay healthy and have no injury problems and we’ll see if I can keep the jersey,” he said.
“The change was big (since I’ve become world champion), but the most important thing is to be happy to wear this jersey and to exploit the chance to wear it during the season in the best possible way.
“I need to keep doing what I’m doing, working hard and training hard. I haven’t changed anything in my pre-season training.”
Things certainly are different for Costa this season. Not only will he be parading his prestigious rainbow jersey each race, he’s also joined a new team – Lampre-Merida – where he’ll assume the role of team leader throughout the season.
He has proven his mettle in one-day races and classics, having also won the National Time Trial Championships twice (in 2010 and 2013), and the GP de Montréal in 2011, but now he is the main man in his new team, who will be supporting him for a shot at the Tour de France – the holy grail of professional cycling.
But Costa is aware that the Tour de France, where he has previously won three individual stages, may not be a reality for him for another couple of seasons and is taking it one step at a time.
“I think that this rainbow jersey has given me more responsibility but it’s important to enjoy it and embrace it,” he said. “It’s also important to note that there are some great riders in this team, like Damiano Cunego, like Filippo Pozzato, and I think this season will be a good one for all of us.
“The target is to be competitive in all the races I’ll take part in; Paris-Nice, Tour de Romandie, the Classic – in order to see what I can do in the Tour de France.”
When Costa moved from Movistar to Lampre-Merida, he signed a one-year deal and he’s yet to determine if he would extend his partnership with the Italian outfit.
He added: “When I signed with this team, I wanted sign for one year in order to evaluate if it could be a good team for me and I think from what I’ve seen until now, it’s a very good for me. Now we’re starting racing together and then we’ll evaluate together with the team if this relationship could go on.”
Costa is in Dubai for the very first time and, as an all-rounder, may not be considered a favourite for a mostly flat circuit that favours time-trialists in the first stage or the sprinters in the other three. But he’s looking forward to taking part nonetheless.
While some may see the prospect of racing in Dubai as unappealing, considering the UAE does not have a long-standing cycling tradition, Costa says the Tour can go a long way in creating that legacy in the Emirates.
“This is my first time here. It’s a unique race, I don’t think the course will be very suitable for me but it’s a good chance to be here, especially for the good weather, so I can work to improve my condition,” he said.
“I think Dubai doesn’t have a cycling tradition because maybe until now they haven’t wanted to have a cycling tradition. Because if they want one, they can do it.
“In Dubai you can do everything."
Fact file
Grand Tours
Tour de France
Three individual stages (2011, 2013)
Stage races
Four Days of Dunkirk (2009)
Vuelta a la Comunidad de Madrid (2011)
Tour de Suisse (2012, 2013)
One-day races and Classics
UCI Road Race World Championships (2013)
National Time Trial Championships (2010, 2013)
GP de Montréal (2011)
Professional teams
2007-2008 Benfica
2009-2010 Caisse d’Epargne
2011-2013 Movistar Team
2014 – present Lampre-Merida
