Duo join Orbea

Naturgas rider Igor Merino and Bidelan-Kirolgi rider Haritz Orbea will ride for Orbea next year, reports BiciCiclismo. 21-year-old Merino has had another solid season with the red squad and was virtually a dead-certainty to make the step up. 20-year-old Orbe shone for Spain in the recent Tour de l'Avenir and will no doubt strengthen the team for the 2012 season.

The team is set to reveal two new faces tomorrow afternoon and, according to BiciCiclismo, one of them will get 'promoted' from Naturgas, while the other will come over from Seguros Bilbao. Stay tuned tomorrow for the latest transfer news.