Diego Ulissi (Lampre-Merida) ended his season on a high as he on three major Italian one-day races in less than two weeks. Next year he will join forces with world champion Rui Costa on Lampre-Merida but Ulissi doesn't fear any great rivalry as they will have different race schedules and have a good relationship.

The final races of the season are often dominated by a select few riders that have managed to stay fresh at a time when most are fatigued and looking forwards to their holiday. This year one of those dominant riders have certainly been Diego Ulissi.

When Diego Ulissi travelled home from Spain at the end of the Vuelta a Espana, his season had been a good one as he had taken a stage win and the overall victory in the Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali and a stage win in the Tour de Pologne. However, the final few weeks turned the assessment from good to fantastic.

It all kicked off on a bad not in the world championships road race where he crashed twice and never managed to support Vincenzo Nibali in the way he had hoped for. However, he took he revenge three days later when he won Milan-Turin and after a disappointing performance in Il Lombardia, he continued his success with wins in Coppa Sabatini and Giro dell'Emilia.

The success has marked Ulissi out as a rider to look out for next year but he may face an internal rivalry with world champion Rui Costa who will join the Italian team next year.

However, Ulissi doesn't expect any conflict

 "For some time I have had a great relationship with Rui," he told Gazzetta dello sport after Thursday's win. "We've known each other since we were amateurs. Even before he won the world championships I often spoke with him. We will work together."

Costa has made it clear that he will target success in the Tour de France. Ulissi has set his sights on the one-day races and this will make it easier for the two riders to work together.

"He [Costa] targets the Tour," Ulissi said. "My programme? I will focus more on one-day races. I hope to win a classic and will work to hit peak condition for the Ardennes classics. I'll have more responsibility, I know the team expects a lot from me. But I have no fear."

In addition to the arrival of Costa, Ulissi may also still have to share captaincy duties with Michele Scarponi who still hasn't decided whether he will stay at Lampre-Merida. While describing his season as a big success, Ulissi makes it clear that he hopes the veteran will stay onboard.

"It's been a good year," he said. "It was a pity with the world championships. I was feeling good, had left the Vuelta in good condition, had finished second in Naranco behind Joaquim Rodríguez. I was in great condition and without the two crashes I would  have been able to make a contribution to Italy. Five wins are not bad [it became six with the win in Giro dell'Emilia]. They would have been six if Scarponi had not stolen the win in Donoratico [GP Costa Degli Etruschi where he finished 2nd behind Scarponi]. Joking aside, I would be happy if Michele stays at Lampre: he always gives good advice and encouragement during the race."

Ulissi ended his season on Sunday in the GP de Beghelli where he finished 74th.