Nelson Oliveira created a surprise when he beat his Lampre-Merida teammate Rui Costa at the Portuguese TT championships to take his second title after his 2011 win in the event. The 2009 U23 Worlds silver medalist was proud to have beaten his teammate in the race against the clock.
Being the road race world champion and the Portuguese time trial champion, Rui Costa has never done a race in the usual Lampre-Merida kit. When he lines up for the Tour de France time trial on stage 20, however, he will do his first ever race as a "normal" team rider.
That is a fact after Costa lost his position at the top of the Portuguese TT hiererachy in today's national champioships when his teammate Nelsol Oliveira claimed the title. The silver medallist from the 2009 U23 Worlds in Mendrisio beat his famous teammate by 38 seconds to take his second win after his maiden victory in 2011. Sergio Sousa (Efapel) completed the podium.
"What a beautiful day, it is a great honor to win the Portuguese time trial championships again," said Oliveira. The course was tough, you needed good legs. It was not easy to beat Rui, because he is in good shape and has been very strong recently. I was very good and I was able to push hard. It is a great joy and it was nice to get compliments from Rui. I saw that he was happy for me, even though I beat him at the end of a good fight."
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