Vuelta, l'Avenir & Salamanca

• Euskaltel got through today's chaotic 16th stage of the Vuelta without mishaps. Nieve, Oroz, Isasi and Cazaux all came in with the main group of riders at seven seconds, while Martínez finished 49 seconds down, Verdugo at 1:11, and Txurruka, Azanza and Antón at 1:34. Nieve thus remains in 12th on GC. On tap for tomorrow is the last summit finish at the Peña Cabarga.
• Stage three of the Tour de l'Avenir came down to a bunch sprint in which none of the Spaniards got involved. Cabedo came in mid-pack at the same time as the winner, while Fraile ceded 1:13. Gipuzkoan Garikoitz Bravo got into the break of the day and is the new KOM-leader.
• Naturgas are still finding their feet in Salamanca and had another tough day in the saddle on today's third stage. On the 129km stage starting and finishing in Montemayor, Damien García was the only rider in red able to stay with the pack, finishing 30th. Chetout placed 58th at 21:56, Barbero 60th at 21:59, Larrinaga 62nd at 25:10, Ocampos 68th at 25:39, and Carazo ended up 79th at 25:45. Carlos Barbero threw in the towel mid-stage.