José Mendes (Bora-Argon 18) took the biggest win of his career by claiming a maiden Portuguese road race title in impressive fashion. The climber dropped companion Nelson Oliveira (Movistar) in the finale and soloed to victory while the Movistar rider had to settle for second. Ricardo Vilela (Caja Rural) took the bronze medal.

José Mendes is known as a reliable climber in the Bora-Argon 18 team but until today he has been in search of a maiden pro victory. When he finally managed to cross the line first, it happened on one of the biggest scenes for a Portuguese rider as he emerged as the strongest at today's national championships two days after taking second in the time trial.

In the absence of defending champion Rui Costa, the battle for the title on the 177.1 kilometers course in Braga was wide open. The riders had to do eleven laps of a circuit with the climbs of Bom Jesus and Sameiro.

The race was animated by a group of ten escapees but they failed to stay away as Efapel brought them back. Then the riders from the foreign teams took the initiative and that was the decisive point. Nelson Oliveira (Movistar) attacked at the end of the penultimate lap and José Mendes was the only one able to respond. The pair roder together and in the moment of truth, Mendes left Nelson Oliveira behind and so prevented the Movistar rider from taking the double.

Mendes reached the finish 18 seconds ahead of Oliveira and so got his revenge after the time trial where they finished in the reverse order. Ricardo Vilela (Rural-Seguros RGA Caja) rounded out the podium, 59 seconds behind.

It is still unclear when Mendes will make his debut in the jersey. He is not part of the Tour de France team and is set to be the leader in the Vuelta.