Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida)
Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida)
Former world champion Rui Costa has enjoyed a strong start to the 2015 season, albeit one that is yet to reward him with victory.
Having finished fourth at the Amstel Gold Race, and following that up with a late dig at La Fleche Wallonne, he looks to be among the contenders for Sunday’s race.
Costa’s previous best finish is ninth, but it should be noted that until joining Lampre-Merida last year, Costa’s primary role was to bury himself in the service of Alejandro Valverde at Movistar.
Costa now has the opportunity to shine in his own right and, with three Tour de France stage wins and a world championship victory to his name, he knows how to deliver big victories on the day.
Costa’s 2015 results have included a top-ten overall at Paris-Nice and Pais Vasco, and fourth at the Amstel Gold Race. Is the next stop another Monument podium after finishing third at the Giro di Lombardia in 2014? Don’t be surprised if he does seal a career-best Liege-Bastogne-Liege result.
Form guide
Best Liege-Bastogne-Liege: Ninth (2013)
2015 season highlights: Paris-Nice (fourth overall), Tour of the Basque Countey (seventh overall), Amstel Gold Race (fourth).
Current UCI WorldTour ranking: 15th