News shorts

• Efrén Carazo put in one of his best performances of the season when he took 10th in yesterday's Bayonne-Pamplona one-dayer. The youngster hasn't always gotten the results to show for his considerable efforts this season so he'll no doubt be pleased with such a strong result in such a high-level race. Aitor Ocampos finished up 37th and was the only other finisher from the team in the Torneo Euskaldun-race.
• A familiar face took out today's race in Busturia. Caja Rural standout Yelco Gómez took another impressive win to add to his rapidly-growing palmarès, while Igor Merino's sixth and Chetout's ninth salvaged some pride for the red brigade.
• Koldo Fernández almost single-handedly salvaged Euskaltel's Brixia Tour through his creditable third place on the closing stage earlier today. On the 164,6km trek from Calcinato to Verona the speedster was only bested by Modolo and Rizzo to take a morale-boosting third. On GC, Mikel Landa was the team's highest finisher in 24th. Sesma was 35th, Azanza 42nd, Mínguez 70th, Fernández 80th, Cazaux 101st and Castroviejo 115th.