Nelson Oliveira is a six-time Portugal Champion in that discipline. Oliveira surprised in the 2011 Tour de Suisse Time Trial by finishing 4th behind Fabian Cancellara, Andreas Klöden and Levi Leipheimer. A few days later he took his first Time Trial title in the elite category. One year earlier he earned silver at the U23 European Road Championships in Ankara as well as bronze at the European Time Trial Championships. Later, in October, he finished 4th in the U23 Time Trial World Championships in Melbourne. In 2009 Nelson Oliveira was second behind Jack Bobridge at the U23 Time Trial World Championships in Mendrisio.

One of his favorite riders ever to watch was José Azevedo. Ironically he turned out to be his coach and sports director in 2011. Just like his father Celestino, a former professional rider as well, Nelson is a humble and devoted rider who dreams of the Olympic Games, the Tour de France and especially Paris-Roubaix.