New world champion Rui Costa will ride his first race in the rainbow jersey on Sunday when the Portuguese lines up at the final monument of the season, Il Lombardia. On the start line he will be joined by the three riders he beat in the hectic finale in Florence, defending champion Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), Movistar teammate Alejandro Valverde and local hero Vincenzo Nibali (Astana).
It will be time for revenge on Sunday when Il Lombardia will bring down the curtain on the 5 monuments of the 2013 season. All riders from the quartet that decided the world championships title two days ago in Florence, will be on the start line in Bergamo.
The major drawcard will be new world champion Rui Costa who will ride his first race in the rainbow jersey. Possibly it will be the only chance to see Costa ride as both world champion and Movistar rider with the Portuguese having signed a contract with Lampre-Merida for next season.
One of his rivals two days ago was eventual bronze medalist Alejandro Valverde but on Sunday, the two riders will be riding together as part of a strong Movistar line-up. The Spaniard will warm up tomorrow in the Milano-Torino.
Joaquim Rodriguez was left hugely disappointed after his 2nd place in Florence and will get his chance to make amends when he lines up as leader of the Katusha team in Il Lombardia. Last year he took his biggest career win in the autumn classic and he will be back to defend his title.
Another rider who will try to capitalize on his good form is Vincenzo Nibali. The home favourite finished 4th two days ago and is in splendid condition at the moment. Two years ago he got very close to a win in Lombardy and will do his utmost to take his first big classics win on home soil.
You can follow all the action from the last of cycling's 5 monuments on CyclingQuotes.com/live.
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