Lampre-Merida have confirmed recent reports that they have agreed to a two-year contract extension with world champion Rui Costa. On the eve of his first Tour de France as team leader, the world champion can look forward to another two years at the helm of the Italian team.

Last year Rui Costa decided to leave Movistar to get the chance to be a team leader in the Tour de France and he chose Lampre-Merida as his new team. The Italian team could offer him a captaincy role in the biggest races but the Portuguese preferred only to sign a one-year contract, claiming that he wanted to know his new team better before making a longer commitment.

Reportedly, BMC, Cannondale and Astana have all shown interest in the world champion but now his team has confirmed that they have made an agreement of a two-year contract extension with their world champion. The contract will be signed on August 1 as the UCI rules prevent them to put pen to paper already now.

"Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a rider who seeks stability and here at Lampre-Merida I have found that," Costa writes on his website. "I'm very happy with the good relationship I have with the team and my teammates. Since I joined Lampre everybody has supported me. I have found a motivated team that is ready to work. We are a united group that helps each other. It is this sense of mutual support and stability that has made me reach an agreement with the team and the sponsors to continue for another two years.

"At first, Lampre-Merida and I only signed a one-year contract. At the time, I explained that it would be good for both parties to know each other better. Seven months have passed and I want to thank the team and their sponsors for their confidence in me.

"Tomorrow the Tour de France starts and I get even more motivated by knowing that I have a team that is on my side and happy with my work. I want to achieve a good result in this Tour. It would be perfect if I could finish in the top 10 but we know that the first week is complcated and we have to see. I don't rule out the possibility of fighting for a stage win if I have a bad day. The only thing I promise is that I will leave everything on the road for the team, for me, for my country and for my supporters."

Costa recently made history by winning the Tour de Suisse for the third time in a row.