Rui Costa has had a great season so far and topped it today with the rainbow jersey. He won Klasika Primavera, two stages in Tour de Suisse, overall GC in Tour de Suisse, the Portuguese TT national title and finally two stages in Tour de France.

He is the first Portuguese world champion in any elite World Championships. The jersey was the goal of his carrier and he fulfilled that goal at the age of 25. It was a very happy Portuguese world champion who talked to www.biciciclismo.com.

“Wearing this jersey was a goal during my entire career and I can't still believe it. I had this race marked down on my season schedule. The World Championships are always sort of a lottery, difficult to win. It's hard, even more in a race like this, with soaking rain, especially in the first three hours. You always go through ups and downs in such courses; at some points I didn't feel well, but my feelings in the last lap were better.”

Costa had stronger legs than he thought off. He didn’t believe that he could beat his breakaway companion, Joaquín Rodriguez.

“I knew I had to stay focused into the Fiesole climb and make the decisive move. I also knew I'd be struggling at Via Salviati, and knew where I had to attack to chase Joaquín down and going for the sprint with him. I was thinking the same as everyone about these Worlds - I mean, Italy leading the race, the Spaniards closing the gaps on Nibali - so I took a choice about how I should have ridden before the race. But I know Purito [Rodriguez] well, and I never thought I could beat him. Now it's time to finish this season; I will have time to enjoy and taste this victory after that."