UAE Team Emirates’ Rui Costa continued his dream run as he secured another second-place finish during Stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia.

It was Rui’s third such finish in the race having finished second in Stage 11 and 17.

Team Sky rider Mikel Landa soloed over the finish in triumph following a 191km ride from San Candido to the summit finish at Piancavallo.

The Spaniard attacked Costa 10 km from the summit, going solo for most of the climb to finish nearly two minutes ahead of his Portuguese rival.

It was a commendable performance nonetheless from Costa, who said: “I had circled today’s stage on my calendar, it was a good course for me and the first part of the race was going to plan.

“Then the situation changed when the top rider group bridged the gap from the breakaway meaning we had to start all over again to pull away from them.”

Costa tried to keep up with Landa but admitted it was too steep a challenge.

“I managed to attack once again and stayed with Landa when he counter-attacked on the final climb. I tried to stay with him, but today he was stronger,” he told UAE Team Emirates’ website.

There is still one more stage that’s suitable for attacks and although I spent a lot of energy today and yesterday, I’ll try to do my best“.