Lampre-Merida will still count on the services of the Portuguese road and time trial champion after the team has announced that they have extended the contract with Nelson Oliveira. The Portuguese has reached an agreement with the team for the 2015 season.

Acting as a guarding angel for Rui Costa in almost all races, Oliveira enjoyed his own success in 2014 when he completed a fantastic double at his national championships. He had another highlight at the Worlds in Ponferrada where he finished 7th in the time trial after having led the race for most of the day.

Having been professional since 2010, 25-year-old Oliveira has already achieved two Portuguese time trial titles, the national road race title and the title as Portuguese time trial champion in the U23 ranks. Those results indicate his potential and there should be more to come from Oliveira as he improves and gets more experience.

"I am very happy to have extended the contract with Lampre-Merida for the 2015 season," he said. "When you feel good in a team, the goal is to stay with that outfit. It was my wish to remain a blue-fuchsia-green rider so I am very pleased with the renewal. I will work as hard as I did in 2014 to reach all my personal goals and those of the team."