Rui Costa defeats Trofeo Calvia in an exciting final

One of the peloton’s most experienced riders, Rui Costa (Intermarché – Circus – Wanty), has enjoyed early season success on European soil. The Portuguese won the first round of the Mallorca Challenge, Trofeo Calvia, beating Louis Vervaijk (Sodal – Quick-Step) and Ben Healy (EF Education – Easy Post) in the sprint. The race also marked the retirement of Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates), last year’s winner.

The experience is good. As usual, Rui Costa proved it at the start Mallorca challenge. At the Trofeo Calvia, Rui Costa weighed in at the end of the entire race before being rewarded with the win. The 36-year-old rider was first in a group of chasers seeking the breakaway, with the best riders of the day, then spinning with Louis Vervaijk to join Ben Healy and Pascal Einkorn (Lotto Destiny) to make up the Major. the couple.

A little later Vervaeke was alone in front for about fifteen kilometres, but Costa managed to get to the intersection with Healy. This trio no longer leaves each other in the last kilometers, but at a languishing pace. Until the moment we see a group of chasers coming back a few meters away, especially composed of Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal – Quick-Step) making the effort for teammate Kasper Pedersen. But the regrouping wouldn’t happen, and in the race Costa got ahead of Verwijk, who still had to wait for his first professional win. For the Portuguese, today’s winner, this is the 28th success of his career.