Rui Costa
Hometown
Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal
Date of birth
5 October 1986
Languages
Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and English
Nicknames
None
Portuguese veteran Rui Costa brings a wealth of experience and racing savvy to EF Education-EasyPost. The former world champion and three-time Tour de France stage winner is a great mentor for our younger riders. With his cool head and tactical wits, he helps them understand how to turn opportunities into victories on the road.
Last season, Rui won the Portuguese road race national title for the second time in his career, ten years after he first won it, a testament to the longevity of his career. He is a former winner of the Japan Cup, and has also won a stage of the Vuelta España, as well as a stage and the general classification at the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. In total, Rui has crossed finish lines first 32 times during his 18-year career.
It all started when he was a kid, heading out for his first rides with his dad, who was also a cyclist, near their hometown of Póvoa de Varzim in Portugal. That’s where Rui first learned the tricks that brought him success in the biggest races, including his rainbow stripes of world champion’s jersey.
Nowadays, Rui still lives in Portugal, with his wife who is from the island of Madeira. That’s where Rui and his family like to head when they have time to relax. Rui brings his bike and goes training on the quiet roads through the semi-tropical forest by the seaside. He is grateful that he has had the chance to make his living doing the sport he loves most.
Always a fierce competitor, he is excited to do his favorite thing of all this year: win bike races.
Questions & Answers
If you weren't a professional cyclist, what would you be? Why?
I have no idea. It’s very difficult to know what else I could have been. I'm glad I discovered the right career for me!
Think about your best teammate ever. What was the quality in them that you appreciated?
He’s a serious and honest person, available to support teammates, and always in a good mood.
How did you get into cycling?
It was through my father who was passionate about cycling.
What is your favorite climb? What makes it special?
Alpe d’Huez. What makes it special is the fact that only great cyclists have won there.
What is your favorite word in your native language? What does it mean? What do you like about it?
Obrigado. Thanks!! It means being grateful. I really like to thank everyone for feeling very supported.