Today, Rui Costa rode his first race after giving his rainbow jersey to Polish Michal Kwiatkowski. It was Il Lombardia and the Portuguese rider is now the first of his origin to ever reach the podium of the Italian cycling monument.

And the Lampre-Merida rider gives a big thanks to his team, who supported him from the start of the race to the end of the race.

“First of all, I want to thank my team mates, because they perfectly supported me from the start to the last climb, I could not ask more from them,” Rui Costa explained to the Lampre website. “I tried to give the team a top result, all the nine members of the group that was leading the race after the climb of Bergamo Alta were pedaling with not much energy left, so we were all waiting for the sprint, but Martin attacked when the speed had decreased and he deserved the victory,” the former world champion Rui Costa said.

And he is happy that he was able to honor the Lampre jersey.

“The third place is a good result, I’m happy I could honor the first race I took part in without wearing the rainbow jersey.”

Rui Costa is celebrating his birthday today and it would have been a great pleasure for him to win the race.

“Today is my birthday and it would have been great celebrating it with a victory, but I’m satisfied for celebrating is knowing that I’m the first Portugese cyclist to be on the podium of the Giro di Lombardia and that now I’m fourth in the World Tour ranking“.