Movistar was the most successful team in the road race at the world championships in Florence yesterday with two of its riders winning the gold and the bronze medal respectively.

Although pleased with the performance of his riders, Movistar team manager Eusebio Unzué could not hide the fact that he would have preferred Valverde as World Champion instead of Rui Costa due to the former’s nationality and the fact that Valverde will continue in his team next season, whereas Rui Costa will join Italian squad Lampre-Merida.

"The Worlds has been very good to us because we have taken first and third. Alejandro Valverde has delivered a very positive result," explained the manager to BiciCiclismo.com after the world championship race.

Despite leading the team that garnered more success in the World Championships than any other team, Unzué did not deny having "a bittersweet feeling. Even though Rui Costa won, Valverde blew his chance and I think he deserves to win a world championship."