"At UAE I was a bit limited" - Rui Costa feeling reborn after Intermarché signing

After six years at UAE Team Emirates, a fully refreshed and refocused Rui Costa has a new lease on life following his switch to Intermarché-Circus-Wanty, something that is already paying off as evidenced by overall victory at the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana.

"The truth is the team is great, a very nice environment to work in. I'm really enjoying it and we're all super motivated," Costa said in an interview with Cyclingnews. "At UAE I was a bit limited. The change of teams has brought me new opportunities and with that comes new motivation."

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"The condition has always been there. The only thing is that at UAE it was a different plan, a different role. I had my small opportunities but I usually ended up with the 'capos' of the team, like Pogačar, [João] Almeida, [Juan] Ayuso. That took away the opportunities to fight for my own objectives," Costa continued. "It's a smaller team here, but I don't mean badly run. There is maybe a bit less pressure, but the objective is still to be up there. We have to fight and we have to do great things."

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Having started the season in electric form picking up victories at Trofeo Calvia and the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana, Costa is keen to ensure he carries on winning. "This year has started well. The feelings I've had have been very good, the results I've had have been perfect. So for now I'm very happy with how it's all going."