Former world champion Rui Costa retires after 19-year career

"Cycling has made me so happy," wrote Costa in a social media statement posted on his Instagram account. "The time has come for me to retire. To enjoy the company of my loved ones, to be present for the big and small moments and to serenely experience what has been postponed so many times."

The 39-year-old, currently riding for EF Education-EasyPost amassed 33 professional victories during his career, including becoming the first and only Portuguese cyclist to win the rainbow jersey when he triumphed in Florence in 2013.

Costa began his professional journey with Portuguese squad Benfica in 2007 before spending four seasons with Caisse d'Epargne, which later became Movistar (2009-2013). 

His career then took him to Lampre, which transformed into the powerhouse that is UAE Team Emirates (2014-2022), followed by a single-season stint at Intermarché-Wanty. He capped off his career with two years at EF Education-EasyPost.

Beyond his Worlds success, Costa's palmares includes three Tour de France stage victories (2011, 2013), a stage win at the Vuelta a España (2023), along with three consecutive Tour de Suisse general classification wins from 2012 to 2014. He also claimed the 2011 Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal. His last ever professional victory as a rider came at the Portuguese Championships back in the 2024 season.

"I thank all the teams that were part of this journey and the Portuguese national team: it was an immense source of pride to carry our flag to the four corners of the world. To everyone who believed in me, encouraged me, helped me, and supported me, thank you very much," Costa wrote.

Costa's retirement adds him to the growing list of seasoned professionals bringing their careers to a close at the end of this season as the 2010's era reaches its conclusion with riders such as Elia Viviani, Alexander Kristoff, Arnaud Démare, Rafał Majka and others ending their careers in 2025.