Cycling: Costa retains Tour of Switzerland crown

Portuguese rider Rui Costa won his second successive Tour of Switzerland on Sunday after an impressive ride in the ninth and final stage, a 26.8km time-trial in Flumserberg.

The 26-year-old, who rides for the Movistar team, timed 51min 57.58sec to easily make up the 13sec gap between him and overnight leader Mathias Frank of Switzerland.

Frank, who had led the race since the third stage, faded badly to finish fifth overall and was virtually inconsolable after he crossed the line.

Dutchman Bauke Mollema finished second overall, over a minute in arrears of Costa, while Czech Republic rider Roman Kreuziger filled the final spot on the podium.

Costa, whose most notable win prior to last year’s Tour of Swtizerland triumph was a stage win in the 2011 Tour de France, steadily built up the pace and was especially impressive on the second-half of the stage.

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