Briefs: Euskaltel/Athletic Club/Naturgas

• Only 24 hours to go before the grand Giro d'Italia kick-off, and Euskaltel duly spent a couple of hours today reconnoitering tomorrow's short ITT course. After the official presentation, which is happening right now in fact, the riders will head back to the hotel, get their customary massages, have dinner and go to bed, the team's website writes. The first Euskaltel rider off the start ramp tomorrow will be GT debutant Adrián Sáez, who'll set off as number five at precisely 15:44. The team's captain, Mikel Nieve, will get the green light at 18:45. Check out the complete start list and starting times for tomorrow's 8,7km ITT in Herning right here. 
• If you plan on watching the Spanish Cup Final but can't a ticket, head down to San Mamés and watch it with thousands of others on a big screen. Prior to kick-off, Miguel Madariaga will offer his words of encouragement to Athletic. 
• Naturgas Energía will send 12 riders to tomorrow's Euskaldun-race in Berriatua, Vizcaya. According to www.fundacioneuskadi.com, Jon Larrinaga, Karl Baudron, Damien García, Victor Etxeberria, Mikel Iturria, Imanol Estévez, Loïc Chetout, Pablo Comins, Alain González, Alain Santamaría, Javier Francisco Martín and Oier Sánchez will all ride. The team will use the event to get ready for next week's four-day Vuelta al Bidasoa.