Briefs

• Samu Sánchez underwent successful surgery on his hip yesterday, reports Euskaltel's homepage. The team captain was taken to the Hospital de Begoña in Gijon to have some tissue repaired, but the operation is not thought to hamper Samu's preparations for the coming season.
• Former Euskaltel rider Aitor Hernández does not envisage returning to the professional peloton in the future. Hernández was released by Euskaltel this time last year after seven years as pro (that also took in a spell at Italian team LPR), but hasn't been able to find a team since and is now representing Orbea in the cyclo-cross scene. "Honestly, I have pretty much given up on returning to the road", he told El Pedal de Frodo. "But road racing is not that important to me any more as I've changed my focus. I was very lucky being able to ride professionally for seven years. Riding for Euskaltel was a dream, but I'm enjoying my life now as well".
• Igor Antón will share his Grand Tour experience with an audience at the fourth Conference of Cycling in Logroño next Thursday. The conference will bring together a host of household names to talk about different subjects in the sport over two days. Among others, fellow Basque Imanol Erviti of Movistar will be present to talk about safety measures in the sport, writes www.larioja.com.