Rui Costa delivered a solid performance by Rui Costa after having been on the defensive yesterday. In the 4th stage of the Vuelta al Pais Vasco (Zumarraga-Eibar Arrate, 162,2 km), the Portuguese rider  reached the finish with the top riders, finishing 9th .

On the traditional climb of the Alto de Uzartza, LAMPRE-MERIDA's captain succeeded in keeping a very good pace that allowed him to be in the main group until the summit of the climb, with 2.2 km to go, and then he did the downhill with the select group of 12 riders whose sprint was won by Rodriguez.

Thanks to the 9th place, Rui Costa is now 12th in the overall classification, 26" behind leader Henao.

The whole Team LAMPRE-MERIDA did another good performance as sport director Philippe Mauduit pointed out: "I was happy to see that our riders did the stage in an active way as it was necessary. We were in all the attempts that characterized the early kilometers of the race, thanks to Serpa, Ulissi, Bono and Conti. On the penultimate climb, Rui could rely on Serpa and Plaza and in the final part of the stage Polanc was once again a perfect support for him during the approach to the final climb."