May 06, 2019 - Dubai, UAE

UAE Team Emirates’ Rui Costa kept the team’s fine run of form going as he climbed onto the second step of the podium at the Tour de Romandie on Sunday afternoon. It is Costa’s fourth podium at the race, following third place finishes in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

The Portuguese rider, who is a former World Champion, attempted to close the time gap in the final stage – a 16.85 individual time trial (ITT), but finished in seventh place, 49” behind the eventual overall winner, Pimoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma).
 
Roglic and Costa were joined on the General Classification (GC) podium by Geraint Thomas (Team Ineos) who finished third. 
 
Commenting on the result, Rui Costa said: “The course of this time trial was very interesting and selective. The last part was very fast and managing my energy was fundamental. Placing seventh today in the time trial and taking second place in GC is boost for my morale. To beat Roglic like this was practically impossible, so my second takes on more value. Now I want to continue to work well and try to get the most out of the Tour of Switzerland.”
 
In what is turning out to be the most successful season since the team’s inception, the result is the 16th second place finish for UAE Team Emirates, in addition to 11 victories and 11 third places since January.