Québec, l'Avenir & Urduliz

• Mikel Astarloza showed he's back close to his best in the GP Québec yesterday, while captain Samu Sánchez had to abandon with leg cramps. The former stayed attentive near the front of the race throughout and eventually finished a good 15th, 1:23 in arrears. It's easily his best result since his comeback. The only other Euskaltel rider to finish was Jon Izagirre who came home 73rd. All eight riders took the start despite six of them being involved in that big training-ride pile-up.
• Víctor Cabedo had a tough day in the saddle in yesterday's fifth Tour de l'Avenir stage. The soon-to-be Euskaltel rider finished next to last at a big 40:31 on the 171,5km trek from Champagnole to Le Salève. Omar Fraile posted a DNF, while Caja Rural's much-hyped Basque Garikoitz Bravo spent the majority of the day up ahead in the break of the day, picking up enough points to now sit atop the KOM-rankings.
• Fernando Grijalba was as usual on the offensive in yesterday's Torneo Lehendakari-race in Urduliz. The youngster, who's likely to join Orbea for the upcoming season, escaped with five other riders 30 kilometres out, writes BiciCiclismo, and the sextet were left to duke it out for the win as they quickly built up an unassailable lead. The Naturgas Energía rider was left to settle for sixth place though as he had to let go of his breakaway companions towards the end. Cueva El Soplao rider Gerardo Rienda took an impressive win ahead of Caja Rural's 21-year-old Dutchman Niek Van Geffen.