Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux have announced their second major new signing of the August transfer window with Portuguese veteran Rui Costa joining the Belgian squad from UAE Team Emirates.
The 35-year-old will join for the 2023 season after six seasons with UAE. His signing comes a day after the team disclosed that Classics man and former Tour de France stage winner Mike Teunissen will join on a two-year deal from Jumbo-Visma.
Three-time Tour de Suisse winner and 2013 world Champion Costa is something of a surprise signing for Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux but will come on board as a road captain. He said that he wants to follow riders like Rein Taaramäe and Alexander Kristoff, who have scored major results since joining the squad.
“I’m very happy to receive the chance to contribute to the success of Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux next season,” Costa said in a press release issued by the team. “This new environment will offer me fresh opportunities and believes in my value as an athlete.
“Loyalty, trust and respect are values to which both Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux and I attach a lot of importance. I want to show fighting spirit to achieve collective goals and I dream about the possibility to conquer new victories.
“Riders like Rein Taaramäe or my former teammates Alexander Kristoff and Louis Meintjes are great examples, riders who converted their rich experience and great potential into fantastic results within Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux. I really want to thank the team for the belief in me, I’m convinced that we will have a good time together.”
Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Performance Manager Aike Visbeek said that he and the team have seen during the 2022 season what a difference experienced riders can make to results – as well as their ability to help the next generation of riders.
That’s something the team will be looking to Costa to provide with young star Biniam Girmay on the continuing rise and signed up through 2026, and neo-pros Dries De Pooter and Madis Mihkels on board for the coming years.
Costa has largely raced in service of other riders in recent seasons, but has scored some strong results here and there, including a top 10 at the Tour de Suisse last year and podiums at the Saudi Tour and Tour of Oman this spring.
“We learned this season that the presence of experience and great champions in our rosters can be a decisive element in achieving success. So, we are pleased that Rui Costa will play this…
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