One week after doing the time trial of his life at the Tour de Suisse, Rui Costa has lost his title as Portuguese time trial champion to Lampre-Merida teammate Nelson Oliveira. The former U23 Worlds medallist beat the road race world champion by a comfortable 38 seconds to take his second win in the event.

Being the road race world champion and the Portuguese time trial champion, Rui Costa has never done a race in the usual Lampre-Merida kit. When he lines up for the Tour de France time trial on stage 20, however, he will do his first ever race as a "normal" team rider.

That is a fact after Costa lost his position at the top of the Portuguese TT hiererachy in today's national champioships when his teammate Nelsol Oliveira claimed the title. The silver medallist from the 2009 U23 Worlds in Mendrisio beat his famous teammate by 38 seconds to take his second win after his maiden victory in 2011. Sergio Sousa (Efapel) completed the podium.

Costa still hasn't confirmed his participation in Sunday's road race and so today's race have been his final outing before he lines up for his first Tour de France as team leader.

Result:

1. Nelson Oliveira 42.08

2. Rui Costa +0.38

3. Sergio Sousa +0.49

4. Ricardo Mestre +1.17

5. Joni Brandao +1.23