Rocha secured his first national title in 2007, winning the 5000 m at the Portuguese Championships. He came tenth at the Portugal Half Marathon, being the second European to finish just behind Stefano Baldini. Following this he reached third place at the European Club's Half Marathon race. With an eighth-place finish at the Oeiras Cross Country he gained selection for the 2007 European Cross Country Championships, where he went on to finish in 24th place and win a team silver medal alongside Rui Silva.