Fernández 8th in Mallorca opener

Koldo Fernández got Euskaltel off to an okay start in the five-day Challenge Mallorca earlier today. The speedster sprinted to eighth on day one, the race being taken out by Tyler Farrar. All the other Euskaltel riders rolled in with the pack. So too did the Orbea representatives; Aberasturi, who placed a solid 20th, García, Martín, Zabalo, Saez de Arregi, Etxebarria, Peio Bilbao, Bizkarra, Cabedo and Bagües. The latter four made their debuts with the team and enjoyed a relatively easy day in the saddle. The slightly bumpier Trofeo Cala Millor is on the menu for the riders tomorrow. Though it'll likely be decided in a sprint tomorrow as well, the team will still field climbers Antón, Nieve, Txurruka and Vélasco, along with Fernández, Gorka Izagirre, Sesma, Isasi, Urtasun and Rubén Pérez. For Orbea, the same ten riders will take to the start.