Briefs

• As expected, Spain were allocated the maximum number of places for the Olympics next year. The London Olympics will thus see five Spaniards line up in road race and two in the time trial. Samu is of course the defending champion and more than likely to be given one of the spots, so he'll be delighted to have four riders supporting him (and/or Freire) come July 2012.
• Despite placing fifth in Karrantza and fourth in Muskiz over the weekend, Orbea cyclo-cross rider Aitor Hernández was everything but enthused when talking to BiciCiclismo yesterday. "Perhaps I was too pumped up and too keen to show myself on the front", the erstwhile Euskaltel stalwart lamented. "Being aggressive throughout cost me dearly late on as I started to drift backwards."
• The Naturgas Energía bosses were "very pleased" with this weekend's two-day camp in Derio. The red squad gathered for the first time this year to plan the riders' pre-season and integrate the new members on the team. The camp ended with a hike from Getxo to Barrika, reports Euskaltel's website.