Briefs: Volta, Antón, Naturgas, VPV route

• Here's Euskaltel's team for the Volta a Catalunya starting this Monday: Samuel Sánchez, Mikel Nieve, Amets Txurruka, Miguel Minguez, Victor Cabedo, Jorge Azanza, Pierre Cazaux and Iván Velasco. Source: www.fundacioneuskadi.com
• As reported earlier this week, an Euskaltel quintet yesterday checked out the likely decisive fourth stage of the Vuelta al País Vasco. Antón, Astarloza, Azanza, Sicard and G Izagirre rode the last 70 kilometres of the stage. The stage finishes atop the feared Ibardin, and Antón believes the climb will go a long way in deciding the overall standings. "It'll be a very demanding day", the Galdakao native told www.fundacioneuskadi.com. "In addition to the tough route, the roads are narrow and we will have done the stage to Arrate the day before. It'll be two difficult days, and the Ibardin might separate the favourites for the GC. The last stretches of the climb are very steep - all favourites can lose time there".
• Changes have been made to the Vuelta al País Vasco's first stage, DEIA reports this morning. The 400-metre wall that is the Goikouria, which takes in ramps up to a vicious 20 %, will not feature on the stage to Gueñes as the organizers deemed it too narrow and too steep. The climb was set to be tackled some three kilometres from the line.
• Naturgas Energía was presented to the public earlier today at a ceremony in Vitoria-Gasteiz. For pictures of the event, click here. For complete roster, click this link.
• Naturgas team for Saturday's Torneo Lehendakari-race in Villatuerta: Karl Baudron, Loic Chetout, Pablo Comins, Imanol Estévez, Victor Etxeberria, Damien García, Alain González, Mikel Iturria, Jon Larrinaga, Javier Martín and Oier Sánchez. DS: Iñigo Urretxua. Source: www.fundacioneuskadi.com