At a gala organized by the Sports Confederation Portuguese in Lisbon, Rui Costa was voted Sportsman of the Year for the third time in his career. The former world champion on the road, a member of the Lampre-Merida, equals the record of the athlete Nelson Evora.

This season, Rui Costa won the overall at the Tour of Switzerland, ranked second in Paris-Nice and the GP of Montreal third in the Tour de Romandie and the Tour of Lombardy.

According to 100 pour cent vélo, At the ceremony of the trophy, Rui Costa said: "I always give the best of myself on the bike. I am very happy and I hope that this award will give me more strength."