Merino selected for Baby Giro

Versatile Naturgas Energía youngster Igor Merino has been selected by the Basque Cycling Federation to represent the team in the upcoming Baby Giro. The prestigious nine-day Italian stage-race gets underway this Friday, and Merino will team up with Seguros Bilbao's Ibai Salas, Jon Oria of Cafés Baqué, Unai Iparragirre of Bidelan, Sergio Ruiz of Debabarrena and Antton Ibarguren of Caja Rural. Peio Bilbao, who's now excelling in the Dauphiné in Euskaltel colours, and Mikel Bizkarra, who's likely to join him on the team in 2012, both participated last year, and the experience of such an arduous high-level event is sure to stand him in good stead when he (in all likelihood) lines up in the blue of Orbea next year. Merino will target a decent overall placing and might aim for a stage win, reports www.biciciclismo.com.