NEWS

Chris and Rui, close-knit couple: the world champion is 9th

American and Portuguese, winner of Vuelta 2013 and 2013 world champion: the LAMPRE-MERIDA duo Chris Horner-Rui Costa (photo Bettini) showed in the 13th stage of Tour de France (Saint Etienne-Chamrousse, 197,5 km with one Kom of 3rd category, one Kom of 1st category and the hors category summit arrival) their very good harmony and the will to fight for common targets.

On the final climb in the head group the top riders started the fight and Nibali began his action that gave him the stage victory: that’s when Rui Costa find in Horner a very important support to limit the gap to the chasers group.

The world champion crossed the fjnish line in 15th place, at 3’01″ to Nibali: this performance allowed him to be back in the top 10 of the overall classification, in fact he’s 9th at 8’35″ to the yellow jersey.

Horner, after he gave his help to Rui, completed the stage in 17th place (+3’11″) and he’s 15th in the overall ranking.

Blue-fuchsia-green athletes were protagonist also in the early part of the stage, thanks to Serpa, who joined the first breakaway of the stage (the action was later neutralized) and thanks to Durasek, who was one of the 9 members of an important attack that had the premises to reach the arrival but that, on the contrary, had to face the chase by the bunch.

“Comparing to yesterday and to Wednesday, today I was feeling better - Rui Costa said - I’m not still so good to fight in the very first positions, but relying on the grind and on the perfect support by Chris I could limit the gap. I hope I’ll go on improving the condition day by day”.

This is the comment by Hornern: “The final climb, because of the heat and of the pace, was very demanding. I was feeling good, but not so good to be able to battle for a top result, so I preferred to support Rui, setting a rythm that could be good for both. I think we succeeded in reaching the arrival in a short gap”.

STAGE RESULTS

1- Nibali 5h12’29″

2-Majka 10″

3- Konig 11″

4- Valverde 50″

15- Rui Costa 3’01″

17- Horner 3’11″

72- Valls 32’22″, 76- Durasek s.t., 82- Serpa s.t., 106- Oliveira 38’38″, 167- Cimolai 40’42″

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION

1- Nibali 56h44’03″

2- Valverde 3’37″

3- Bardet 4’24″

4- Pinot 4’40″

9- Rui Costa 8’35″

15- Horner 10’44″

Posted in Tour de France

Despite the antibiotic therapy, Rui Costa is in the head group

Despite the antibiotic therapy, Rui Costa is in the head group

Despite the fact he was debilitated by the antibiotic therapy, that was necessary in order to face the bronchitis he’s suffering for, Rui Costa (Bettini photo) uses his class to pedal in the head bunch until the end of the 12th stage of Tour de France, 185,5 km from Bourg en Bresse to Saint Etienne.

The impressions of the World Champion: “Today I can say to be more happy, the feelings are much improved compared to yesterday, a day when i really suffered a lot because of this bronchitis that is debilitating. I think I’m back to 70% of my strength, thanks to the antibiotics therapy that was prescribed by the doctor of the Team and I am confident that I can still improve in the coming days. The race for me today was quiet without too many worries, the final had many ups and downs that I’ve faced quietly in the belly of the group.”

Sixty riders could reach Saint Etienne in the head group, that was selected on the two Kom that characterized the final 50 km of the stage (Col de Brosses, 3rd category, and Cote de Grammond, 4th category at 20 km to the finish).

Also thanks to the support of their mates, both Rui Costa and Horner approached the climbs in good positions, so that they can obtain the 48th and the 22nd places on the final sprint that assigned the victory to Kristoff on Sagan and Demare.

Gallopin was on late at the arrival, so the LAMPRE-MERIDA duo could climb one position in the overall classification: Rui Costa is 13th and Horner is 16th.

STAGE RESULTS

1- Kristoff 4h32’11″

2- Sagan s.t.

3- Demare s.t.

4- Albasini s.t.

5- Navardauskas s.t.

22- Horner s.t.

48- Rui Costa s.t.

103- Durasek 2’24″, 108- Serpa s.t., 134- Valls 5’45″, 160- Oliveira 10’12″, 166- Cimolai s.t.

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION

1-Nibali 51h31’34″

2-Porte 2’23″

3-Valverde 2’47″

4-Bardet 3’01″

5-Pinot 3’47″

13- Rui Costa 5’34″

16- Horner 7’33″ 

Posted in Tour de France

Horner can be happy, breathing problems for Rui Costa

Horner can be happy, breathing problems for Rui Costa

After the rest day, the Grande Boucle was on the French roads again with a stage that had its topic moments in the final part.
The 187,5 km from Besancon to Oyonnax were in fact characterized by 4 Kom (three of 3rd category and one of 4th category) all packed in the final 44 km.

Gallopin laughs for the joy of the victory, that he obtained thanks to a solo attack he started on the final hill; Chris Horner smiles since he could be in the 35 members group of athletes that chased Gallopin and that could crossed the finish line just after the winner; Rui Costa (photo Bettini) feels sorry because he suffered for breathing problems that caused him to finish the stage 1’36″ after Gallopin.

In the overall classification, Rui Costa dropped to the 14th place, at 5’34″ to Nibali; Horner is still 17th at +7’33″.

“Today I had not the beest feelings, nevertheless I managed to be at the arrival in the top riders group - Horner explained - Since I knew I was not so competitive in the climbs, I focused my attention on covering the donwhills in the early positions, so that I could rely on small advantages in approaching the hills”.

Rui Costa said: “Obviously, I’m not satisfied for my performance. I suffered from the start and I thought the reason was the temperature increase after days of cold temperature and rain.
After the stage, team doctor visited me and I understood I’m facing bronchitis: I hope I’ll be able to recover soon, so that I’ll have the chance to repay the support of the team and of my team mates, that today too were great in helping me during the worse moments in order to reduce the gap”.

STAGE RESULTS
1- Gallopin 4h35’45″
2- Degenkolb s.t.
3- Trentin s.t.
4- Bennati s.t.
33- Horner s.t.
48- Rui Costa 1’36″, 61- Durasek s.t., 67- Valls 1’42″, 90- Serpa 9’42″, 104- Oliveira 18’25″, 168- Cimolai 20’26″  

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION
1- Nibali 46h59’23″
2- Porte 2’23″
3- Valverde 2’47″
4- Bardet 3’01″
14- Rui Costa 5’34″
17- Horner 7’33″

Posted in Tour de France

Rui Costa back in the top 10, now he’s 9th

Rui Costa back in the top 10, now he’s 9th

Posted in Tour de France

Valls joins the main breakaway and he’s 13th

Valls joins the main breakaway and he’s 13th

Rafael Valls, who is awaited to good performances on the climbs of Tour de France after he demonstrated in Tour de Suisse to be very competitive on the mountains, spent almost the whole 9th stage of Tour de France (270 km from Gerardmer to Mulhouse) pedaling in the breakaway that led the race.

As by reccomendation by the team’s sport directors, the Spanish climber (photo Bettini) paid attention in the early kilometers of the stage to the various attempts of escaping, joining the biggest one that counted 30 members.
The bunch gave freedom to this breakaway that could get a good advantage: during the stage, Tony Martin counter attacked and he reached the arrival for a solo victory.
Valls finished the stage in the first chasers group, obtaining the 13th place at 2’45″ to the winner.

The yellow jersey bunch reached Mulhouse 7’46″ later, that means that Gallopin, who was in the breakaway, is the new leader of the race.
Rui Costa is now 11th, since Machado, Rolland and Gallopin overtook him.

“It was important to race carefully in order to avoid problems in the downhills of the six Kom of the stage - sport director Matxin explained - We achieve this goal, as Valls did in the best way his assignment of joining breakaways if they would have count a large number of riders: Rafael demonstrated that the team can rely on him for the next stages on the mountains”.

STAGE RESULTS
1- Martin 4h09’34″
2- Cancellara 2’45″
3- Van Avermaet s.t.
4- Dumoulin s.t.
13- Valls s.t.
41- Oliveira 7’46″, 43- Rui Costa s.t., 44- Horner s.t., 81- Durasek s.t., 83- Serpa s.t., 178- Cimolai 21’38″

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION
1- Gallopin 38h08’38″
2- Nibali 1’34″
3- Machado 2’40″
4- Fuglsang 3’18″
11- Rui Costa 4’26″
24- Horner 7’46″ 

Posted in Tour de France

Bad luck for competitive Rui Costa

Bad luck for competitive Rui Costa

In the pouring rain, French rider Kadri won the 8th stage of Tour de France, completing on the summit arrival of Gerardmer a long breakaway, of which he was the only survived member.

Behind the winner, the battle of the top riders was hard and it lasted on all the two climbs that preceded the final one.
Contador obtained the 2nd place at 2’17″ and Nibali at 2’20″, while Rui Costa (photo Bettini) was 12th at 3’01″ after having faced a chain problem that occurred at 1800 km to go, just at the beginning of the final climb. Because of a dip in the road, the chain that was moving from 53 to 36 had a jump, but the World Champion had to lose some seconds before starting again pedaling and beginning the chase to the other top riders.

Excepts for that problem, Rui Costa’s performance was very good: “The stage was demanding and it’s always difficult to pedal under the rain. I usually suffer the cold rain, but my legs gave me very good feedbacks. Unfortunately, I had to face this trouble that forced me to do a chase.
Thanks to my team mates, they realized a good performance and especially Durasek was great”.

Horner suffered for the cold, but he could limit the gap at 4’19″.

The world champion entered in the top 10, directly at the 8th place at 2’52″ to Nibali. Horner is 21st at 6’12″.

STAGE RESULTS
1- Kadri 3h49’28
2- Contador 2’17”
3- Nibali 2’20”
4- Porte 2’24”
5- Pinot 2’28”
12- Rui Costa 3’01”
31- Horner 4’19”

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION
1- Nibali 33h48’52″
2- Fuglsang 1’44″
3- Porte 1’58″
4- Kwiatkowski 2’26″
5- Valverde 2’27″
6- Contador 2’34″
7- Bardet 2’39″
8- Rui Costa 2’52″
21- Horner 6’12″ 

Posted in Tour de France

Rui Costa and Horner climb the overall classification

Rui Costa and Horner climb the overall classification

All the riders from Team LAMPRE-MERIDA were able to avoid the crashes and the breaks in the bunch that characterized the frantic final part of the 7th stage of Tour de France, Epernay-Nancy.

For most of the 234,5 km of the course, the race did not live hectic moments, thanks to a 6 riders breakaway that led the stage until 20 km to go.
Just few kilometers after the neutralization of the breakaway, a crash in the early posizion of the pack broke the bunch: all LAMPRE-MERIDA rider could avoid the crash and could be in the head group, that later were selected also on the Cote de Boufflers (1,3 km at 7,9%, at 6,5 km to go).

Rui Costa and Horner were in the leading group that faced two other crashes in the final kilometer before the winning sprint of Trentin on Sagan: the world champion and the American climber did not sprint, in order to avoid problems, and they crossed the finish line in 14th and 26th position.

In the overall standing, Rui Costa climbed to the 11th position (+2’11″ to Nibali) and Horner in 24th place (+4’13″).

“Very long stage but with the hills only in the final part of the race - Rui Costa (in photo, Bettini, with Nelson Oliveira) explained - We spent a quite easy day for most part of the stage, but in the final kilometer the race became difficult, because of the two hills, of the attacks and of the crashes.
I had good legs and I received a good support by my mates and, most important, I could avoid crashes”.

STAGE RESULTS
1- Trentin 5h18’39″
2- Sagan s.t.
3- Gallopin s.t.
4- Dumoulin s.t.
14- Rui Costa s.t.
26- Horner s.t., 50- Durasek 1’03″, 80- Valls 2’42″, 82- Serpa s.t., 171- Oliveira 12’16″, 177- Cimolai s.t.

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION
1- Nibali 29h57’04″
2- Fuglsang 2″
3- Sagan 44″
4- Kwiatkowski 50″
5- Van den Broeck 1’45″
11- Rui Costa 2’11″
24- Horner 4’13″ 

Posted in Tour de France

Rui Costa and Horner avoid the crashes, bad luck for Oliveira and Serpa

Rui Costa and Horner avoid the crashes, bad luck for Oliveira and Serpa

The 8th stage of Tour de France (Arras-Reims, 194 km) had no demanding difficulties on the road profile (two 2nd category Kom), but it caused troubles to the bunch because of some crashes.

Two crashes at 70 km to go broke the pack: two LAMPRE-MERIDA’s cyclists, Nelson Oliveira and Josè Serpa, got involved.
No consequences for the Portuguese champion, bruised hip for the Colombian climber.

After Richeze withdrawal, that was caused by the injury to the knee he suffered during the 5th stage, Cimolai was the captain of the team for the sprint, but he faced a puncture that forced him to spend energies to chase the bunch, so he could not have ambitions for the sprint (137th place).

On the contrary, Rui Costa and Horner were skilfull and lucky in avoiding any trouble: they both crossed the finish line in the head group (22nd place for the world champion, 40th place for the winner of Vuelta a Espana 2014). Victory for Greipel.

“In these early part of Tour, it’s important to pay the max attention not only in stages as yesterday one, but also in stages that could appear easy - Horner (photo Bettini) explained - Today I achieve my goal, Rui too, so we’re satisfied”.

Team manager Copeland said: “Avoiding crashes in stages like these it’s a good result for the two riders that we hope could be competitive in the mountains, that are Rui and Chris.
They paid high attention and team mates are giving their best to improve the cooperation: it’s also important to point out that we faced the withdrawals of two cyclists such as Modolo and Richeze that could have been useful to support mates thanks to their skills of pedaling in the bunch”.

STAGE RESULTS
1- Greipel 4h11’39″
2- Kristoff s.t.
3- Dumoulin s.t.
4- Renshaw s.t.
22- Rui Costa s.t., 40- Horner s.t., 95- Oliveira 59″, 121- Durasek s.t., 137- Cimolai 3’25″, 153- Valls 4’51″, 176- Serpa s.t., Richeze dns

OVERALL CLASSIFICATION
1- Nibali 24h38’25″
2- Fuglsang 2″
3- Sagan 44″
4- Kwiatkowski 50″
13- Rui Costa 2’11″
28- Horner 4’13″ 

Posted in Tour de France

Rui Costa was supported by new ROTOR’s Power LT

Rui Costa started today’s Stage 5 with POWER LT (photo) installed on his Merida

bike.ROTOR Bike Components introduced POWER LT, a lighter weight, power measurement system that took its technical and design cues from ROTOR’s existing Power cranks training system.

POWER LT is the result of a collaboration with UCI Pro Team Lampre-Merida, which compelled ROTOR to come up with a simple, lightweight power training system that could withstand the rigors of punishing use by the best professional riders.

“The racers need every possible advantage to compete at the level demanded by races like the Tour de France,” said Julio Madrigal, sponsorship manager for ROTOR. “We wanted to give them an edge through equipment technology and our solution was POWER LT.”

Rui Costa, defending UCI Road World Champion and three-time Tour de Suisse winner, has targeted stage wins and the overall podium at this year’s Tour.

“In the Tour, the difference is in the little details,” Costa said. “I needed a light bike without sacrificing state-of-the-art technology. With this in mind, ROTOR developed its newPOWER LT cranks. Now my bike will maintain the 6.8 kg weight minimum without giving up a power meter in the hard mountain stages.”

Lampre’s Merida bikes have been outfitted with POWER LT prototypes throughout the current season. POWER LT has been tested by the team’s professional riders and its mechanics, and improved by ROTOR’s engineers, thanks to their feedback.

“We created Power as a dual-power measurement system that recorded data for both the left and right cranks. POWER LT evolved out of that with a few distinctions,” explained David Martínez, lead engineer for ROTOR’s power meter range. “For instance, to save on weight, data is captured from POWER LT‘s left crank”

Key features that distinguish POWER LT are its compatibility with ANT+ devices, easy battery replacement, UBB30 crank axle, and affordable price together with the lowest weight penalty.

In line with ROTOR’s vision to develop innovative solutions for cyclists, ROTOR has grown its power meter family. POWER offers the most advanced measurement technology, while POWER LToffers the best ratio of technology to weight and price.

Visit ROTOR’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/RotorBikeComponents) for images and more news about POWER LT.

 

Posted in Sponsor

5th stage from hell, Rui Costa came out very well.

5th stage from hell, Rui Costa came out very well.

It was expected and dreaded by all the experts of the Tour de France the 5th Stage, from Ypres to Arenberg Porte du Hainaut of 155.5 km, and the fear was really founded.

Under a pouring rain since the first rides, the riders had to suffer cold water throughout the day, with the presence of 7 really dangerous stretches of cobblestones muddy (of 9 provided, 2 were canceled for impracticability from the start).

The race was seen leaving the scene by one of the main contenders for final victory, Froome, who at 800 meters from the first section of pavé had to, because of the second fall of the day, say goodbye to Le Tour. Despite the difficult conditions today Lampre Merida men were able to escort up Rui Costa to stretches of cobblestones in a great position. The World Champion has had to fight and grit the teeths on a path unfamiliar to him, these are his words: “Today I have to be satisfied with my performance, lead to home the skin was the first goal we had in the program. On this roads and in difficult conditions, it is a moment to throw everything to the wind. It was demonstrated with the fall of Froome, which I must say is out of the race in the wrong way and did not deserve this misfortune, I would give him my best wishes for a speedy recovery. My second goal was to not lose too much ground by the men of rank, I think that this point has been reached for sure, just not on Nibali, that has made a really big number today and deserves my congratulations and admiration, I also managed to outdistance albeit slightly a rival like Contador to the finish. I have really to say thanks to his companions, and in particular to Oliveira who escorted me to the end on the pavè sections. Tomorrow is another day and I hope that the worst has been left behind, already be at the start will be a thing that is really very much! ”

For the history of the race, to signal the victory of Boom that just pulled off at the last stretch of pavè the yellow jersey Nibali and his mate Fuglsang.

Rui Costa, was the first athlete of Lampre Merida reached to the finish line in 25th position at 2’28″ behind the winner, in a squad with Valverde.

Among the numerous falls of the day, for Lampre Merida we must annotate those: Cimolai and Horner without major consequences, while Richeze falling, has procured a knee injury that required stitches, the Argentine sprinter have to say hello to the race after the consults with Tour’s  and Team’s doctor.

Order of Arrival :

1. BOOM Lars BELKIN PRO CYCLING 03h 18′ 35”
2. FUGLSANG Jakob ASTANA PRO TEAM + 00′ 19”
3. NIBALI Vincenzo ASTANA PRO TEAM + 00′ 19”
4. SAGAN Peter CANNONDALE + 01′ 01”
5. CANCELLARA Fabian TREK FACTORY RACING + 01′ 01”
6. KEUKELEIRE Jens ORICA GREENEDGE + 01′ 01”
7. KWIATKOWSKI Michal OMEGA PHARMA-QUICK STEP + 01′ 07”
8. WESTRA Lieuwe ASTANA PRO TEAM + 01′ 09”
9. TRENTIN Matteo OMEGA PHARMA-QUICK STEP + 01′ 21”
10. LEMOINE Cyril COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS + 01′ 45”
11. PORSEV Alexander TEAM KATUSHA + 02′ 02”
12. HAYMAN Mathew ORICA GREENEDGE + 02′ 02”
13. VANMARCKE Sep BELKIN PRO CYCLING + 02′ 02”
14. BAKELANTS Jan OMEGA PHARMA-QUICK STEP + 02′ 02”
15. RENSHAW Mark OMEGA PHARMA-QUICK STEP + 02′ 02”
16. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen LOTTO-BELISOL + 02′ 02”
17. MARTIN Tony OMEGA PHARMA-QUICK STEP + 02′ 02”
18. GALLOPIN Tony LOTTO-BELISOL + 02′ 02”
19. ROELANDTS Jurgen LOTTO-BELISOL + 02′ 08”
20. PORTE Richie TEAM SKY + 02′ 11”
21. THOMAS Geraint TEAM SKY + 02′ 19”
22. TALANSKY Andrew GARMIN - SHARP + 02′ 22”
23. DUMOULIN Tom TEAM GIANT-SHIMANO + 02′ 28”
24. PINOT Thibaut FDJ.FR + 02′ 28”
25. COSTA Rui Alberto LAMPRE - MERIDA + 02′ 28′

General Standing:

1. NIBALI Vincenzo ASTANA PRO TEAM 20h 26′ 46”
2. FUGLSANG Jakob ASTANA PRO TEAM + 00′ 02”
3. SAGAN Peter CANNONDALE + 00′ 44”
4. KWIATKOWSKI Michal OMEGA PHARMA-QUICK STEP + 00′ 50”
5. CANCELLARA Fabian TREK FACTORY RACING + 01′ 17”
6. VAN DEN BROECK Jurgen LOTTO-BELISOL + 01′ 45”
7. GALLOPIN Tony LOTTO-BELISOL + 01′ 45”
8. PORTE Richie TEAM SKY + 01′ 54”
9. TALANSKY Andrew GARMIN - SHARP + 02′ 05”
10. VALVERDE BELMONTE Alejandro MOVISTAR TEAM + 02′ 11”
11. BARDET Romain AG2R LA MONDIALE + 02′ 11”
12. VAN GARDEREN Tejay BMC RACING TEAM + 02′ 11”
13. COSTA Rui Alberto LAMPRE - MERIDA + 02′ 11”
14. THOMAS Geraint TEAM SKY + 02′ 16”
15. PINOT Thibaut FDJ.FR + 02′ 25”
16. DUMOULIN Tom TEAM GIANT-SHIMANO + 02′ 25”
17. TROFIMOV Yury TEAM KATUSHA + 02′ 25”
18. MOLLEMA Bauke BELKIN PRO CYCLING + 02′ 27”
19. CONTADOR Alberto TINKOFF-SAXO + 02′ 37”
20. BAKELANTS Jan OMEGA PHARMA-QUICK STEP + 02′ 39”

Posted in Tour de France

Chris and Rui, close-knit coup...

tris

American and Portuguese, winner of Vuelta 2013 and 2013 world champion: the LAMPRE-MERIDA duo Chris Horner-Rui Costa (photo Bettini) showed in the 13th stage of Tour de France (Saint Etienne-Chamrousse, … Continue reading

Despite the antibiotic therapy...

tris

Despite the fact he was debilitated by the antibiotic therapy, that was necessary in order to face the bronchitis he’s suffering for, Rui Costa (Bettini photo) uses his class to … Continue reading

Horner can be happy, breathing...

tris

After the rest day, the Grande Boucle was on the French roads again with a stage that had its topic moments in the final part. The 187,5 km from Besancon … Continue reading