EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - Rui Cost at starts the Figueira Champions Classic: "There's no doubt that it's always a motivation to race in Portugal"

Rui Costa, of EF Education-EasyPost, gave an exclusive interview to CiclismoAtual and CyclingUpToDate at the start of the Figueira Champions Classic. The Portuguese rider began his season in Mallorca but has now travelled back to his home country where he will have a few opportunities to fight for good results on familiar roads.

Back in Figueira, where he finished 4th in 2023, he didn't hide his happiness to be racing in Portugal: "It's always a motivation to race in Portugal. It's a joy, not least because I don't have the opportunity to race here all year round, only in Figueira, Volta ao Algarve and the national championships."

He comes as part of an EF Education-EasyPost that has Neilson Powless, Mikkel Honoré and also sprinter Madis Mihkels as potential cards for a result this Sunday afternoon. On his best day, the 38-year old could also be in contention for the victory in Figueira da Foz - on a windy day and an explosive final circuit where a lot can happen.

The adverse weather conditions at the start of the day are of no concern to the national champion, "The day dawned rainy, but everything indicates that during the race it won't rain, in the final part the course will already be dry, so I believe there won't be any falls due to the wet ground".

The Portuguese rider also has the Volta ao Algarve in his schedule, but we learn that the veteran actually already has a clear plan for the upcoming weeks: "Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, Volta a Catalunya and then I'll be at altitude to prepare for the Giro d'Italia," he assured us. Hence, there will be a Portuguese rider at the Giro d'Italia, the first to announce it - UAE's Almeida and Morgado will not, whilst most others are still figuring their plan for the upcoming spring and summer.