Many people in cycling were taken by surprise when Rui Costa signed for Lampre-Merida. But after the team’s presentation in Mallorca, he reassured the public and his many fans, saying, “This team fits me and I feel honored that Lampre-Merida welcomes me as their captain.”

He also felt that an Italian team was a good fit for him: “Italy feels lucky for me, because I won big races as an U23-rider there. I love the country and it’s where I became world champion,” said Costa. “I am improving my Italian too and I fit in the team. They warmly welcomed me and I feel honoured that they want to have me as their captain. It’s a good team with good, young riders.”

The 27 year old will not change the way he has ridden in the past despite being the team’s leader either, he said.

“I improve a little bit year after year, so I’ll keep doing what I do. Normally I start my season in Mallorca but this year we started in Dubai. I had never been there, but it was a nice opportunity because of the great weather. For an early season race, everything went very well.”

He also acknowledged that as Portugal’s first ever World Champion on the road, he has a big responsibility as a role model and he admits that he will do everything that he can in order to move cycling forward in his beloved homeland.

He has big goals for 2014, namely the Ardennes Classics and the Tour de France. Winning these races is difficult enough as it is , but Costa appreciates it will be even harder to do with the Rainbow Jersey on.

“I know that people are watching me. The jersey is a target and the peloton is now aware of my presence. But, obviously, I will try to win something this year,” he smiled, referring to the alleged curse of the rainbow jersey.

He also alluded further to his goals and how he wants to achieve them.

“I don’t care what the others do in terms of preparation for the Tour de France. I do what I think is right for me. For the Tour, I hope to do a good overall, to go for a top ten place. The first week will be crucial for the overall. The departure from Yorkshire and the fifth [cobbled] stage will be tough. After that week we’ll see.”

“I cannot hide the fact that I really like the Amstel Gold Race and Liège-Bastogne-Liège [where he finished in ninth place in 2013]. They suit me well and I aim for a podium place this year.”

First up on the calendar for the 2013 World Champion is his home tour the Volta al Algarve. “I want to do well there because it’s a rare opportunity to race in front of my fans. I want to do well in front of those people who supported me the most throughout the years,” he smiled.

Should Costa be on his 2013 level again this year, he may just be the first rider to win big races without being a sprinter in the Rainbow Jersey since Paolo Bettini.