Young Portuguese snatches twenty-first Movistar Team success in the season by explosivity and intelligence in GP Montréal, solving with skill a late break after always keeping the front into the final 30k Movistar Team couldn't close their maiden season without a victory in a UCI World Tour classic, and the same man that found the way to success for the telephone squad in the Tour de France, Portuguese youngster Rui Costa, took the 21st victory of the 2011 season for the Blue squad in the GP Montréal, last race of the Canadian tournée over 17 laps and a total 205 kilometers around the climbs of Camilien-Houde and the Col de la Polytechnique. The first of those was the place where the Lusitan relaunched during the last lap a move he already provoked just over 25k from the finish, attacking in company of Urán (SKY) and Vande Velde (GRM) after making a crucial protecting work for teammate José Joaquín Rojas -who couldn't take part into the sprint after a mechanical into the final 300m- in previous laps. Caught at the summit, the Portuguese went again offensive into the final ascent and escaped with Denifl (LEO) and Fédrigo (FDJ), with whom he started a long fight against the bunch which was kept alive until the very first line. With World's No. 1 Philippe Gilbert (OLO), eventually 3rd across the finish, on their back, the Portuguese would time his sprint perfectly to comfortable take his third success of the 2011 season and his ninth as pro.

“I’m really happy and extremely thankful towards my teammates, which did a very good work all race, explained an elated Rui Costa just after crossing the line, his fists on the air. The final laps were really nervous and difficult to manage, with such a complicated circuit and so many attacks. I was where I had to be: I knew i had to come on front into the final two laps, climbing the cotes with the best on front and trying to make all breaks. This victory means much to me after the win in the Tour and I think it’ll be really important for my career. Both victories are important but different, because success comes in the Tour after several days of effort, and here you’re into a classic where you have to give everything. This was a very difficult season for us due to all unforeseen things and back luck we went through, but I think we showed we’re a strong group, really professional, who could perfectly get over everything.”