Despite a huge amount of a bad luck, Rui Costa presented a promising disposition in the early months of 2014 season with no less than five runner-up spots claimed on stages at the Volta ao Algarve and Paris-Nice, finishing those events third and second in the general classifications respectively.

Very promising performances were followed by a disappointing appearance of the Lampre-Merida leader at the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, where the 27-year old Portuguese reportedly suffered the effects of demanding training at high altitude.

"I've worked hard to be good in these Classics, in País Vasco I was not as good as I’d hoped, but at least on Sunday I was in relatively good shape."

Even though the rainbow-clad Portuguese has never excelled in the Ardennes classics with ninth place taken in last year’s Liege-Bastogne-Liege edition being his best result to date, his magnificent performance at the World Championships road race in Florence left no doubts that Costa can perform well on the long, hilly routes.

Costa bounced back from the Vuelta al Pais Vasco disappointment with top twenty result at the Amstel Gold Race, and despite weaker performance in the difficult Fleche Wallonne finale last Sunday, remains confident about his disposition ahead of the cycling oldest monument – the Ardennes classic which should suits the 27-year old Portuguese most.

Confident about his increasing form, Costa was reluctant to assess his chances in the Liege-Bastogne-Liege, pointing out to the winners of two already concluded hilly classics as main favourites to take the spoils in la Doyenne.

"We'll see when the racing starts," he told Cyclingnews, "[Race winner Philippe] Gilbert (BMC) was very fast and very strong in Amstel Gold, so was [Alejandro] Valverde [Movistar]."