Rui Costa Discussion Thread

[Red Rick]

Lol @ Sousa being on it so big for winning a random ATP 250 tournament

 

[birthmark]

As a portuguese I still can't believe this is happening. I almost had a heart attack during that last lap. I'm really happy for Rui!

I don't get why there are so many crtitics to his performance. If he had helped Nibali, he would not be able to pass Via Salvati with them, so why would he do it? He also timed his move perfectly to catch Rodriguez. Give some credit to the guy.

Also, everyone keeps forgeting how Nibali came back to the race after falling down. Even though, he was really strong and did an outstanding race. He and all the italians.

I'm still sad for Purito, though. I really like him and would have been a worthy winner. Classy performance too.

 

[hrotha]

"Classe e inteligência numa lição de tática do português"

 

[trevim]

As expected, WCRR=ATP 250

 

[DHammer]

I wonder if this as changed anything in the future of Rui Costa in Lampre in particullarly and in Italy in general due to the known nationalism of Italians.

 

[Pippo_San]

I wonder if this as changed anything in the future of Rui Costa in Lampre in particullarly and in Italy in general due to the known nationalism of Italians.

If anything, Saronni should be happy he just won the jacktop! It would be awesome to see the World Champion win the Giro d'Italia

 

[Hugo87]

I'm happy for the recognition from the press, but nothing will change around here... One day some words from a soccer coach will make headlines, instead of a Costa's win at LBL ( dreaming very high ).

I'm happy too for the portuguese fans of cycling ( specially kids and teens ) that now could have a decent poster at home.

I had to look to Sergio Paulinho's face for many years and it wasn't pretty.
At the time I had one from CR7 first game at Man Utd next to him and was a weird combination.

 

[robow7]

What did Purito turn around and say to Rui after he had bridged to him in the final stretch? "Let me have the win and you get the money"?

 

[hrotha]

What did Purito turn around and say to Rui after he had bridged to him in the final stretch? "Let me have the win and you get the money"?

Something along the lines of "go ahead and pull". According to Purito, he was trying to make Costa nervous, although he knew that was practically impossible because Costa is one cold basterd.

 

[trevim]

I wonder if this as changed anything in the future of Rui Costa in Lampre in particullarly and in Italy in general due to the known nationalism of Italians.

I doubt Italians will give him an hard time. They're one of the few that root for cyclists regardless of their nationalities, doping past, team... They simply love cycling.

 

[TeoSheva]

I wonder if this as changed anything in the future of Rui Costa in Lampre in particullarly and in Italy in general due to the known nationalism of Italians.

Like let Nibali go to keep Sagan?

 

[icefire]

I doubt Italians will give him an hard time. They're one of the few that root for cyclists regardless of their nationalities, doping past, team... They simply love cycling.

I doubt he'll do many Italian races.

 

[maxmartin]

I doubt he'll do many Italian races.

ardeness and Tour of Boring, pretty much

 

[will10]

There's a fair few "stronger" riders in the peloton than Costa, with considerably less on their palmares. The guy knows how to get the most out of his talent and is an ice-cold killer when it counts.

 

[IndianCyclist]

I doubt Italians will give him an hard time. They're one of the few that root for cyclists regardless of their nationalities, doping past, team... They simply love cycling.

The Spanish kept Nibali out of the medals and Rui didn't allow the Spanish to win which is sort of revenge for Italy.

 

[Parrulo]

I think due to the way he usually wins his races, we are starting to underrate Costa's physical abilities a bit.

Let not forget that he didn't make the final selection by luck but by being at least one of the 4/5 stronger riders in the race.

 

[hrotha]

I think due to the way he usually wins his races, we are starting to underrate Costa's physical abilities a bit.

Let not forget that he didn't make the final selection by luck but by being at least one of the 4/5 stronger riders in the race.

That's what I don't get about many of the Costa fans. Most of them seem to think he's a weakling who can only win thanks to his wits.

 

[Parrulo]

That's what I don't get about many of the Costa fans. Most of them seem to think he's a weakling who can only win thanks to his wits.

I don't think Costa is top level on high mountain stages but other than that, he has proven to be one of the best riders in the world at one day races, one week races and stage hunting in Grand Tours.

I wonder if he will manage to ever deliver a great GC result in a GT, which seems to be his main objective. But unless he turns into podium material for the GT's, which i doubt due to his difficulties on HC mountains , i hope he keeps going for stage wins because he is simply brilliant at that.

 

[icefire]

The Spanish kept Nibali out of the medals and Rui didn't allow the Spanish to win which is sort of revenge for Italy.

To be accurate, the Spaniards were hitting the wasps nest during the Vuelta and then Horner came out of it. Nibali's paid them back very nicely

 

[trevim]

I think due to the way he usually wins his races, we are starting to underrate Costa's physical abilities a bit.

Let not forget that he didn't make the final selection by luck but by being at least one of the 4/5 stronger riders in the race.

That's actually a very good point, he's turned into one of the best all rounders in the world. The only thing he truely misses is climbing legs for GT's, other than that he's perfectly fine right now.

 

[Billie]

Like let Nibali go to keep Sagan?

American team.

 

[Afrank]

I don't think Costa is top level on high mountain stages but other than that, he has proven to be one of the best riders in the world at one day races, one week races and stage hunting in Grand Tours.

I wonder if he will manage to ever deliver a great GC result in a GT, which seems to be his main objective. But unless he turns into podium material for the GT's, which i doubt due to his difficulties on HC mountains , i hope he keeps going for stage wins because he is simply brilliant at that.

If he's looking at getting a high GC result in 2014, then he should look at racing Giro-Vuelta instead of the Tour. He would have a better chance of a GC result in one of them IMO, and that way he could use the Vuelta for prep as he tries to defend the jersey.

A good schedule for him might be to peak for ardennes and then try to carry that form into the Giro and see what he can do in the GC there. If he can't get the result he wants then use the Vuelta to prep for worlds and go for stages in it. And if he can get the GC result he wants, then good for him, do the same thing at the Vuelta. And I expect he would be able to also target the usual week long stage races along the way.

 

[Dazed and Confused]

If he's looking at getting a high GC result in 2014, then he should look at racing Giro-Vuelta instead of the Tour. He would have a better chance of a GC result in one of them IMO, and that way he could use the Vuelta for prep as he tries to defend the jersey.

A good schedule for him might be to peak for ardennes and then try to carry that form into the Giro and see what he can do in the GC there. If he can't get the result he wants then use the Vuelta to prep for worlds and go for stages in it. And if he can get the GC result he wants, then good for him, do the same thing at the Vuelta. And I expect he would be able to also target the usual week long stage races along the way.

If Scarponi stays at Lampre, I think the team will use Costa at the tour.

 

[oliveira]

For Lampre's sponsors, having a top 10 contender with a wc maillot at the Tour is very, very good. Lot´s of airtime with it, just look how many times you saw Gilbert at TV at this Tour, and he did nothing.


I believe Costa´s plan is to be at the races he likes (Classics, Suisse and Tour) for some years. Probably giving monument classics a big shot for a couple of years before loosing weight for a Tour all in. Mind he´s only 26.

 

[Pentacycle]

For Lampre's sponsors, having a top 10 contender with a wc maillot at the Tour is very, very good. Lot´s of airtime with it, just look how many times you saw Gilbert at TV at this Tour, and he did nothing.


I believe Costa´s plan is to be at the races he likes (Classics, Suisse and Tour) for some years. Probably giving monument classics a big shot for a couple of years before loosing weight for a Tour all in. Mind he´s only 26.

As he's now wearing the rainbow jersey, a great responsibility rests on his shoulders. He should compete in the biggest stage races and classics(Tirreno, Pais Vasco, AGR, LBL, Giro or Dauphiné and of course the Tour. For the latter I think he can and should compete for a GC top ten and stage wins.(which his team probably would like as well) He may not be the best climber, but a world champion, who won on such a tough course, can be at the front of the GC action in a Tour. When the finish is down a descent, or when the real favourites look at each other, Costa can take his opportunity.