Movistar’s Portuguese Rui Costa continued his unforgettable week at the Tour de France by taking victory on a rain-drenched mountainous stage 19 to Le Grand-Bornand.
Movistar’s Costa, who won in comparable conditions in Gap on Tuesday, overtook a spent and cramp-plagued Pierre Rolland (Europcar) with 20km to go on the last ascent of the day before holding off four chasers led by Andreas Klöden (RadioShack-Leopard) during a wet and challenging downhill finish.
Subsequently, the 26-year-old double Tour de Suisse champion soloed home 58 seconds before the riders in pursuit arrived to secure the third Tour win of his career.
“It was my target to be in the break today but I didn’t think I’d be in a position to contest the victory at the end,” said Costa after his sixth win of the season according to Eurosport. “I didn’t feel as strong as I did in Gap so I waited until the final climb - and this time there was still someone out ahead of me.”
With two stages to go, Costa currently lies 24th, 42’16” behind race leader Chris Froome (Sky).
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