Sunday news round-up

• It's becoming a familiar sight, isn't it? Euskaltel taking control of the race and attacking near the end but ending up empty-handed. That was again the case on today's dreaded stage to the top of the fantastic/horrible Angliru. Verdugo and Txurruka paved the way for Antón to have a go halfway up the climb, and for a moment it looked as though it might come to fruition. JJ Cobo attacked soon after though and Antón eventually had to settle for sixth on the stage, but it was still a great showing by the pre-race favourite. Speaking to reporters post-stage, the Galdakao-native said he was delighted with his ride and that, for the first time in this Vuelta, he enjoyed riding his bike. Tomorrow's rest-day will do him good I reckon, and the Vuelta isn't over yet so he might, just might, go on the attack again in the third and last week. Nieve had a decent ride and ended up 13th, 2:02 down on new overall leader Cobo. He told the team's website that it was a little below what he had expected, but was still optimistic about his chances of breaking into the top 10. He's ranked 12th, 37 seconds off that top ten placing, at the moment. "Overall these last three days have been really good for us", he concluded. Txurruka danced his way to 20th on the stage, 3:22 in arrears, and was thus integral in the team moving into third in the team rankings. Verdugo, who looked quite good early on, came home an okay 36th at 6:51, while Martínez was 56th at 10:37. Azanza and Cazaux - who've both worked tirelessly for their team leaders throughout this race - came in with a big group at 15:57. Oroz and Isasi crossed the line side by side at 18:28.
• Víctor Cabedo got his Tour de l'Avenir off to an okay start by taking 64th in the 6,6km prologue in Yutz. The Orbea rider came home 51 seconds down. Omar Fraile, who'll join Orbea in 2012, stopped the clock at exactly the same time as Cabedo.
• Mikel Astarloza won gold in the omnium at the Euskadi Championships earlier today, reports BiciCiclismo. The Pasajes-native pushed Unai Elorriaga and Illart Zuazubiskar into second and third respectively.
• Narturgas got off to an okay start in the Vuelta a Salamanca today. Entirely as expected, the all-conquering Karol Domagalski took the win on day one for Caja Rural, while all seven Naturgas riders - Barbero, Merino, Carazo, Chetout, Ocampos, García and Larriñaga - finished the 113,8km-stage mid-pack at 57 seconds.