Naturgas update

Remember that cronoescalada in Altzo I mentioned a few of the Naturgas Energia riders - three to be precise - would take part in quite a while ago? Well I obviously didn't until just now as that race pretty much passed under the radar. I checked up the results and was not surprised to see crack Caja Rural youngster Yelko Gómez on top of the standings. Seguros Bilbao's Zuazubiskar came home second while the reds' Igor Merino grabbed the last spot on the podium. Merino has been strong and consistent all season long and seems to finish top 10 in every race he enters. On back of this result it seems he's still in great shape and hopefully he can use his form to good effect and add to the team's season tally of three wins. Chetout finished up in sixth while former Orbea stalwart Mikel Ilundain, now with Azysa-Conor, came in 10th.

The red brigade was also in action yesterday in a Torneo Lehendakari-race in Muxika, Bizkaia. Aitor Ocampos, who seems to be approaching top form these days, was the team's top man in eighth, finishing 29 seconds back on winner Mario González. Merino came in 33rd, Barbero 35th, Legarra, García and Carazo finished 42nd through 44th, Larrinaga 63rd and Guinea 65th.