For Manuel Cardoso, the Volta a Portugal is the biggest goal of his season but until today the race had been a frustrating experience for the sprinter. In the final stage, however, he salvaged his campaign when he won the bunch sprint in Lisbon.

Throughout the entire Volta a Portugal, Manuel Cardoso has desperately trying to take a stage win in one of the sprints but going into the final stage, he was still empty-handed. However, he salvaged his campaign in his season highlight on the final day when he won the prestigious bunch kick in Lisbon that brought the race to a close.

The win was a sweet conclusion to a race that had been a frustrating experience for the fast Portuguese whose Banco BIC team had controlled all sprint stages in the race. However, they never lost faith in their sprinter who delivered the win on the final possible occasion.

"We worked from day one for this victory," Cardoso said. "I am very happy. After having failed in other situations where I could have won, the team believed in me, gave me extra confidence and today I was convinced that I could win. I gave it everything and got the victory."