Spain’s Joaquím Rodriguez was in tears on the podium after taking the silver medal having been edged out by Portugal’s Rui Costa in the world road race champions today.

And even though Rodriguez tried to be diplomatic in his post-race comments, his bitterness at the way compatriot and team-mate for the day, Alejandro Valverde, failed to follow Rui Costa’s move as the Portuguese bridged the gap to Rodriguez in the run-in to the finish line

"The race was perfectly set up for Spain,” Rodriguez said according to Tuttobiciweb.it. “There was Valverde who was the fastest. I said "Listen, you are on the wheel of those who follow me," and I left. I did not understand what happened instead, but when I saw Rui Costa approaching with 600 metres to go, I realized that I had lost. I tried to unnerve him, but it was a desperate attempt and he was very good, congratulations to him."

Then the bitter realization: "Obviously this is the fate of Purito [Rodriguez’ nickname], to lose the Giro, the Vuelta and now the Worlds by the breadth of a hair," he said, wiping away a tear.