Whether his opponents were Nibali, Gilbert or Louis Vervaeke, Rui Costa always dared to go far

Rui Costa has decided to end his impressive cycling career. The 39‑year‑old Portuguese was a phenomenon on the bike and a major star at home. After two seasons with EF Education–EasyPost, the canny all‑rounder says enough is enough, announcing his decision on Friday via his official channels.

“Cycling has made me so happy, but it’s time to retire. To enjoy the company of my loved ones, to be present in the small and big moments, and to experience in peace what was so often postponed,” Costa wrote in a long farewell message, with special thanks to his teams. Costa rose through the Portuguese ranks and made his WorldTour debut at Caisse d’Épargne.

What followed was a distinguished career taking in Movistar, Lampre‑Merida, UAE Team Emirates, Intermarché–Wanty and finally EF Education–EasyPost. "I was blessed to live my dream, to win, to fall and get up again, and to always have my guardian angel with me at every turn of the road."

Costa's career can rightly be called a successful one. He won 33 professional races, including three Tour de France stages, one at the Vuelta a España, and—most memorably—his 2013 road world title in Florence, where he outfoxed Joaquim Rodríguez in a classic Costa finish: reading the race, waiting, then striking.

Throughout his career Costa knew exactly what he could—and couldn’t—do. He only spent his energy when there was something tangible to be gained and wasn’t afraid to gamble if it increased his chance of a result. Think back to how he sat on Rodríguez’s wheel at the 2013 Worlds with a charging group behind: the tactic told you everything about his racing brain.

Whether his opponents were Vincenzo Nibali, Philippe Gilbert or Louis Vervaeke, Costa always dared to go far. That street‑smart approach didn’t always make him popular in the bunch. On days when he refused to take turns in a break, rivals sometimes downed tools too. But just as often Costa won precisely because he still had a little bit more left than the rest.

In recent seasons Costa remained a dangerous stage‑hunter well into his late thirties, but his palmarès is more than just raids. He also claimed overall victories at the Tour de Suisse in 2012, 2013 and 2014, a record that earned him perennial dark‑horse status for the Tour de France GC. The three‑week grind proved a bridge too far; one‑week stage races were his limit, and there he was elite.

When Costa clipped into his pedals he could be a shark, but inside his teams he was widely loved. The reaction to his farewell post on Friday said as much, with fans, former team‑mates and teams lining up to thank him on social media.

'Congratulations for your magnificent career, the champion: class, humility and hard work' Intermarché-Wanty wrote. EF Education–EasyPost added: “Rui has made a lasting impact on cycling and on everyone lucky enough to share the road with him. Thank you for everything you have brought to the sport and our team, Rui.”

Former team‑mate Rui Oliveira (UAE Team Emirates) summed it up beautifully: “A lifelong idol, a team‑mate and above all a friend… He’s probably one of the people who had the biggest impact on me. A world champion, both on and off the bike.”