Rui Costa

[BigMac]

I wonder what is the forum's opinion on his performances. I'm aware some think he's a doper. Let this be his official clininc thread.

One of his most epic performances was in the 2012 Tour de Suisse where he beat the likes of Fränk 'cof, cof' Schleck and Levi Dopez Leipheimer.

What are the differences between him and, say, Dan Martin. Dirty southeasterner? The people he has worked with over the years?

 

[Catwhoorg]

Obviously, he did have an adverse analytical finding, though the Federation accepted the contaminated supplement explanation (IIRC there was good evidence for it being true)

Bikepure interview


Bikepure seems to believe in him (unlike say Froome) and hold him up as a role model.

 

[BigMac]

Obviously, he did have an adverse analytical finding, though the Federation accepted the contaminated supplement explanation (IIRC there was good evidence for it being true)

Bikepure interview


Bikepure seems to believe in him (unlike say Froome) and hold him up as a role model.

The supplements incident must have been a shock to the brothers. Rui says it was a shock to both of them. The evidence for what they were saying being true was precisely the lab tests on the supplements they sent which had been consumed.

 

[gustienordic]

I wonder what is the forum's opinion on his performances. I'm aware some think he's a doper. Let this be his official clininc thread.

One of his most epic performances was in the 2012 Tour de Suisse where he beat the likes of Fränk 'cof, cof' Schleck and Levi Dopez Leipheimer.

What are the differences between him and, say, Dan Martin. Dirty southeasterner? The people he has worked with over the years?

I wouldn't call it epic to beat those guys... But I do think Costa might be cleanish- he doesn't have the same style as some of the uber-dopers. He seems too human (actually gets fatigued, much like Dan Martin).

 

[trevim]

I wouldn't my hands in the fire for him just like I don't do for any professional cyclist. But I'm still to be shocked by his performances; I have been amazed at times but his progression seems quite reasonable over the seasons.
The supplement incident had nothing to do with doping, it was just an unfortunate circumstance of his career. Not saying he doesn't dope but that was just bad luck.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

What are the differences between him and, say, Dan Martin. Dirty southeasterner? The people he has worked with over the years?

Southeast? In what sense? Portugal is south west Europe, and Rui's from Povoa de Varzim, which is north west Portugal?

 

[Netserk]

His surge across to Purito was after what 7 hours? Not exactly soft racing that day. Oh and quite strong 3rd week performances in the Tour last year. No one was near him on those two days. Shocking performances? I guess not, but maybe just the level beneath.

 

[trevim]

His surge across to Purito was after what 7 hours? Not exactly soft racing that day. Oh and quite strong 3rd week performances in the Tour last year. No one was near him on those two days. Shocking performances? I guess not, but maybe just the level beneath.

Sure, I'm not saying he's not suspicious but he has made a steady progression all these years. And lots of his wins have been tactical (breakaways); nevertheless, he was one of the strongest in Firenze (although he was almost dropped on the last climb and then benefited from the work done by Nibali) and on his Suisse wins he was probably the strongest rider in the race, specially in the second one.

 

[the sceptic]

His surge across to Purito was after what 7 hours? Not exactly soft racing that day. Oh and quite strong 3rd week performances in the Tour last year. No one was near him on those two days. Shocking performances? I guess not, but maybe just the level beneath.

yes he did climb pretty strong in those breaks, dont remember exactly but maybe Jens can refresh my memory on how fast it was.

Also riding for Movistar makes him extra suspicious.

Anyway, I wouldnt say Im certain he is doping like I am with other riders, but if I had to guess I would definitely say doping.

 

[hrotha]

I don't think Abarca are big into nurturing clean talents.

 

[Netserk]

I don't think Abarca are big into nurturing clean talents.

Who is? Other than FDJ

 

[BigMac]

Southeast? In what sense? Portugal is south west Europe, and Rui's from Povoa de Varzim, which is north west Portugal?

My bad, clearly an error. What I mean was South of Europe in general, not from the Southeast and not from the Southwest. From the South, following the stereotype.

 

[BigMac]

I wouldn't call it epic to beat those guys... But I do think Costa might be cleanish- he doesn't have the same style as some of the uber-dopers. He seems too human (actually gets fatigued, much like Dan Martin).

I mean his most epic performance, from his repertoire of wins. Not saying it was epic, but the fact that he beat a rather strong field gives it emphasis.

yes he did climb pretty strong in those breaks, dont remember exactly but maybe Jens can refresh my memory on how fast it was.

Also riding for Movistar makes him extra suspicious.

Anyway, I wouldnt say Im certain he is doping like I am with other riders, but if I had to guess I would definitely say doping.

If I record correctely he set the best time ever over Col de Manse. Regarding his days at Movistar, do you think Nairo Quintana is clean or is he also extra suspicious? Thanks.

edit: He did the best time ever over Croix Fry according to Jens stats and the second in Manse.

Col de la Croix Fry
2013: 11,3 km@7,1%
29:56---average speed 22.65 km/h(Rui Costa)
30:49---average speed 22.00 km/h(Quintana-Rodriguez-Contador-Froome-Valverde-Gadret)

Col de Manse
2013: 9,5 km@5,2%
19:06---average speed 29.84 km/h(Porte-Froome-Contador-Kreuziger-Valverde-Quintana-Rodriguez-Mollema)
19:16---average speed 29.58 km/h(Rui Costa)

source: http://www.climbing-records.com/search?q=Rui+Costa

 

[the sceptic]

I feel the same way about Quintana.. pretty depressing I know but he seems a bit too good to be true for me.

Do you think they are clean or doping?

 

[BigMac]

I feel the same way about Quintana.. pretty depressing I know but he seems a bit too good to be true for me.

Do you think they are clean or doping?

I do think there isn't/wasn't a colective doping programme inside Movistar and it's ancestor. I do believe however, that individuals like Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana are doping. I honestely find the latter ridiculous, even when taking his unquestionable natural talent into account. Cannot make my mind up on Costa, although I can almost assure, based on a personal pov, that he never doped.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

I will answer for sniper and bennoti ..of course he is a doper, he is a cyclist even Jesus Christ, The Dalai Lama would be dopers if they suddenly rides in the pro peloton.

 

[Gregga]

IMO his performances in the 3rd week of the TdF are ridiculous : Croix-Fry in the pouring rain faster than Landis 2004 and almost 1 minute faster than Froome's group... Col de Manse which is not very steep (5% average) : Rui only lost 10 secs on Froome/Contador who were drafting... aero counts for more than 100 watts at those speeds and drafting saves about 30 watts. Remember the GC contenders were fighting hard.
For me Rui Costa, Quintana and Valverde had a too strong to be real third week (Quintana matching Froome above 6w/kg in the last 2 MTF).
Probably a well done rest day refill.

 

[Dear Wiggo]

IMO his performances in the 3rd week of the TdF are ridiculous : Croix-Fry in the pouring rain faster than Landis 2004 and almost 1 minute faster than Froome's group... Col de Manse which is not very steep (5% average) : Rui only lost 10 secs on Froome/Contador who were drafting... aero counts for more than 100 watts at those speeds and drafting saves about 30 watts. Remember the GC contenders were fighting hard.
For me Rui Costa, Quintana and Valverde had a too strong to be real third week (Quintana matching Froome above 6w/kg in the last 2 MTF).
Probably a well done rest day refill.

At 30km/hr, drafting saves a lot more than 30W.

 

[Parrulo]

Portuguese people don't dope!!!!

I can assure you that our morals are superior and that gives us the ability to overcome the odds and be stronger than those dopers that don't believe in themselves!!!

 

[Rui Quinta]

Well, I can't put my hands in the fire for anyone. Just for me. I never dope, but i'm not a pro sportsman.

About Rui. I think Rui Costa has a consistent progress. He was allways a good talent and evolved step by step from the Nations Cup U23 to Mr. Rainbow.

In Portugal we had Liberty Seguros-case and LA-MSS-case, but Rui Costa never was part of those teams. When he had 15 or 16 years old, he run by Santa Maria da Feira, the biggest portuguese cycling school who never had a positive.

 

[Team Ferrari/Fuentes]

In Portugal we had Liberty Seguros-case and LA-MSS-case, but Rui Costa never was part of those teams. When he had 15 or 16 years old, he run by Santa Maria da Feira, the biggest portuguese cycling school who never had a positive.

What about João Cabreira? Didn't he ride for São João de Ver/Feira team?

 

[Rui Quinta]

What about João Cabreira? Didn't he ride for São João de Ver/Feira team?

Yes, but his doping issues was is LA-MSS, not in São João de Ver.

 

[Hugo87]

When he had 15 or 16 years old, he run by Santa Maria da Feira, the biggest portuguese cycling school who never had a positive.

Hard to get a positive test, when the tests are almost nonexistent. And even with no positive tests, that doesn't mean that are no dopers.

 

[Rui Quinta]

Hard to get a positive test, when the tests are almost nonexistent. And even with no positive tests, that doesn't mean that are no dopers.

You're right in second part, but not at all. In portuguese cycling (it's the reality that I know) the doping starts in under-15 races and there's some positives in under-19 races. Some are known but not all.

 

[TourOfTexas]

I think he's clean.