Trofeo Deiá

It was a day of all work and no reward for Euskaltel in today's Trofeo Deiá. The third day of the Challenge Mallorca was, on paper at least, perfectly suited to the team what with its six categorized climbs. But any aspirations of a top result took a big hit when the team failed to place a single rider in the day's huge 16-man break.

Having missed out, Euskaltel were forced to do the pace-making at the head of the peloton. They managed to claw back a huge deficit and reel the dangerous-looking break back in, only for a new six-man break, including eventual winner Nordhaug of Sky, to go clear and stay clear on the last climb of the day. The peloton was forced to sprint for sixth place, a sprint in which no Euskaltel or Orbea riders got involved - logically. Gorka Izagirre, second here last year, cruised home in 50th place, while younger brother Jon grabbed a decent 19th.

Cabedo, Azanza and Bilbao were back in the fold after spending yesterday training, replacing García, Landa, Antón, Urtasun and Sicard in the line-up.

Stage results:

• 19, J Izagirre, 1:06
• 37, Astarloza, 1:24
• 50, G Izagirre, 2:45
• 78, Verdugo, 8:39
• 96, Bilbao, 13:19
• 106, R Pérez, 15:55
• 121, Azanza, 19:52

Orbea put out the exact same eight-man team as yesterday, but struggled to impose themselves. Bagües was the team's top finisher in 68th, 5:41 down, Merino was 107th at 15:55, while Fraile and Barbero came home 20:13 adrift in 123rd and 125th respectively. Bizkarra and Zuazubiskar ended up 142nd and 143rd, 26:21 in arrears. Aberasturi and Etxebarria failed to complete the race.