Rui Costa returns to Tour of Flanders after 14 years: "I love this race because it is super tough and super technical"

Rui Costa will be at the start of the Tour of Flanders next year. This is what the Portuguese, who transfered from Intermarché-Circus-Wanty to EF Education-EasyPost this winter, says in conversation with GCN.

"The Tour of Flanders is a yes," confirmed the experienced Costa, who will thus make his third appearance on the Belgian monument. "Cycling is completely different now, so there could be an opportunity for me. I love this race because it is super tough and super technical."

"Experience really helps you in races like the Tour of Flanders. Several riders can win the race these days. We saw that last year with Tadej Pogacar, while Neilson Powless also achieved a good result for my new team."

Jonathan Vaughters, the team manager of EF Education-EasyPost, saw his opportunity and signed Costa. "It's a great team," the latter says. "It's different from Intermarché because it's bigger, but it's a good group. I am impressed with the team so far. It's a great opportunity and it's another year in the WorldTour for me."