"Without a doubt the most difficult" - Rui Costa continues form streak with fourth at brutal Strade Bianche

It had been many years since he last showed such form, Rui Costa is on a blistering start to the season and has continued his run of form at Strade Bianche where he surprised into a fourth place in Siena.

"It was my fourth participation in Strade Bianche, and without a doubt the most difficult. The pace was intense from the first at the last kilometer. My legs responded well to this intensity, which is why I am happy with this fourth place. I want to thank the team who once again played a crucial role in my performance," the Portuguese said in a post-race interview.

The veteran started his season with his first win in almost three years at Trofeo Calvia. However that was only a sign of what's to come, as he won the final stage and the overall classification then at the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana and has brought in consistent results throughout the entire month of February.

Costa managed to take part in the decisive moves of the Italian race, in a display of form in the classics that he had not shown for years. He entered Via Santa Caterina with the chasing group on Tom Pidcock and rode to fourth place, Intermarché-Circus-Wanty's best result in the race since it's making. The Portuguese will now take some rest before returning to the peloton at Itzulia Basque Country as he looks to perform in the Ardennes.