Gustavo Cesar Veloso won the most important race of his season when he finished in the peloton on the final stage of the Volta a Portugal. Having been in a class of his own in the entire race, the Spaniard was pleased to see all his sacrifices pay off.

Riding for a Portuguese continental team, Gustavo Cesar Veloso made the Volta a Portugal his big season goal and he went into the race with the plan of improving on last year's second place. Very early he proved that he was the strongest rider in the race and today he sealed a comfortable overall victory.

Veloso only had one moment on doubt when Rui Sousa put him under pressure in the queen stage but he managed to limit his losses before crusing the opposition in the final time trial. The victory was the reward for months of sacrifices for the former stage winner in the Vuelta.

"I did everything that was in my hands to win this race," he said. "I trained hard, I overcame the difficulties with my teammates and I arrived here with confidence and great professionalism. This victory shows that we are a great team, a very united group."