Tuesday round-up

• Just like in yesterday's stage 1, the Euskaltel riders were there or thereabouts on today's 180km stage 2 ending atop a short but steep incline. A quintet consisting of Martínez, Sánchez, Verdugo, Txurruka and the impressive Bilbao came in with the big pack six seconds down on winner Degenkolb, while Velasco, Landa and Urtasun came in a slightly disappointing (for the former anyway) 7:43 adrift. A 43km ITT is on the menu for the riders tomorrow, so I wouldn't expect any fireworks. But still, look out for the ever-improving Gorka Verdugo to post a top 20 finish.
• Standout Naturgas rider Fernando Grijalba once again recorded a top result yesterday with his third place in the Trofeo San Antonio II Memorial Fernando Expósito in Renedo. The versatile youngster, seemingly equally adept on the flats and in the high mountains, bested a host of strong names in the fight for the last step on the podium after Montenegro and Fabian broke clear of the pack and duked it out for the win. Rory Martínez, who had a rather disappointing Euskadi champs, grabbed 17th, and Ocampos placed 22nd.
• Euskaltel line-up for the Tour de Suisse: R Pérez, A Pérez, G Izagirre, Fernández, Castroviejo, Sesma, Azanza and Aramendía. Isasi and Mínguez, both fresh off their Giro campaign, are listed as reserves.