Former world champion Rui Costa forewent the opportunity to equal Pasquale Fornara's record of four Tour de Suisse victories with the Lampre-Merida rider opting to race the other WorldTour stage race in June, the Critèrium du Dauphiné, for the first time since 2011. Costa's decision looked justified as he took an impressive win on stage 6 from a high-quality breakaway to slot into second place. The 2013 world champion paid for his efforts on the next day to Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc as he slipped to fourth place on GC but a final day third place saw him clinch a podium position just five seconds ahead of Beñat Intxausti (Movistar).
"Today at the start I was satisfied with my performance in the Critèrium du Dauphiné," Costa said. "I had come back to this race after three victories in a row in the Tour de Suisse, I obtained one stage victory and I was fourth in the overall classification, these were very good achievements for me.
"The podium was not so far, but I was aware of the value of Intxausti.
During the race, I was focused on the road and in managing the energies, especially in the final climb which was covered at a very high rhythm.
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"When I noticed that Intxausti was in trouble, the morale helped my legs to give their best and to manage the situation, because [Simon] Yates, who was just behind me in the overall classification, was close close to me."
Costa's result was his third top-ten finish at a WorldTour stage race this season to go with fourth at Paris-Nice and seventh at Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco. The 28-year-old now turns his attention to the Tour de France where we will look to add to his tally of three stage wins.
"I succeeded in obtaining a place on an amazing podium," Costa added. "I thank my teammates for theirs support, this is a good group which could battle for satisfaction in the Tour de France,"
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