Rui Costa lacks strength to match greatest Grand Tour riders in the mountains and kick to become a real contender in bunch sprints, but using his above average instinct and tactical astuteness is how the cheerful Portuguese wins races. It was a case in the World Championship road race in Florence last year, and even though the rainbow jersey holder was clearly nostalgic ahead of his title defense, his chances cannot be ruled out on the hilly course which, again, suits him down to the ground.

Riders and teams seem to be absolutely confused about the best tactics on the hilly course around Ponferrada, what only increased chances of witty riders in likes of Costa or Alejandro Valverde. Successful defenses of the rainbow jersey do not happen very often, though – last time Paolo Bettini achieved it in 2007, and so the Lampre-Merida rider was very nostalgic while recalling a beautiful year spent as a World title holder.

"It's a little bit sad that my year as world champion is almost over, I'm going to miss it if I don't win it again," he told Cyclingnews, knowing he may have to soon wear the Lampre-Merida pink and blue instead of his all white kit decorated with the rainbow bands.

"I've tried to enjoy my year as world champion, whatever has happened, in the good moments and in the bad moments," he explained.

"I've got some new objectives in life now my year as world champion is over, but the most important thing is to be able to say that I got to wear the rainbow jersey. That's special."