One of the cleverest riders in the pro peloton at present, and still winning big races aged 37 years, Rui Costa is set for a new challenge next year which will involve mentoring two of Irish cycling’s brightest talents, Darren Rafferty and Archie Ryan.
Costa first signed for a UCI-ranked team 17 years ago but this year, riding for Intermarché-Circus-Wanty, he claimed five wins, including a stage at La Vuelta, the overall at Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana and last weekend’s Japan Cup.
He has now signed a one-year deal with EF Education-EasyPost, where one of his main responsibilties will be to guide the group of very young riders the team has signed, including Rafferty (20) and Ryan (21), both of whom will spend at least the next two seasons with the US-registered team.
Team CEO, Jonathan Vaughters, said Costa – who won an epic world title race in Verona back in 2013, would bring his winning instinct and wealth of experience, which he could pass on to the younger riders, especially those new to the World Tour.
“A rider like Rui, who has been racing in the World Tour for so many years, knows how to win,” Vaughters said. “What’s more, he knows how to translate near-wins into wins. His experience will be a powerful asset to this team. We have a handful of riders making their World Tour debut next year, and Rui will be an invaluable mentor to them.”
Costa said while he was delighted to continue at World Tour level, and teach the young rider who to race in the top flight, he also believed he could learn from them.
“Everyone, including myself, can grow alongside the younger riders. I am growing every year, learning despite my age. It’s true that I like to help but I also like to learn and improve,” Rui says.
That mindset has helped Rui become the accomplished rider he is today.
“It’s a passion. I’ve been a professional for about 17 years already and I’m still as excited now as I was 15 years ago when cycling was everything to me,” he said. “Motivation is something that grows as you live cycling. I want to get better every year and this year, with EF Education-EasyPost, I’ve heard very good things about the Cannondale bikes so I think I’m going to be on the right bike to improve.
“This is a very interesting team, a team that I have followed since I was young. It has always been a team that has caught my attention. You learn so much from cycling. Above all, you learn about other cultures. You learn from other cultures.
“That’s very interesting because you go to so many different countries and within the team you have friends and teammates from so many different nationalities. To talk with friends from other cultures, for me, is one of the best parts of cycling. I love getting to know cultures well.”
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