Briefs: Orbea/Navarro/Naturgas

• After a timid start, Orbea have sprung to life in the Volta a Portugal. Strongman Xabier Zabalo spent the majority of yesterday's second stage from Oliveira do Bairro to Trofa in the breakaway of the day, only to be reeled in with some four clicks to ride. Carlos Barbero came in placed 18th, while most of his team-mates also came in with the pack. Check out the results here. In Saturday's third stage, a 176,1km trek from Vila Nova de Cerveira to Fafe, César Fonte of Efapel took the spoils, beating Jean Paiani of Saur to the line. Aritz Bagües grabbed an impressive ninth, only 27 seconds down on the winner in what's supposed to be the last relatively flat stage before the mountains appear on the horizon. Click on this link to get redirected to BiciCiclismo's provisional results.
• The rumoured arrival of ace climber and Alberto Contador lieutenant Daniel Navarro won't happen, as the recent stage-winner at the Tour de l'Ain has decided to leave Saxo Bank in favour of mediocre French outfit Cofidis. Carlos Barredo continues to be linked with the team, though.
• 21-year-old Rubén Fernández Andujár of Caja Rural took out today's Torneo Lehendakari-race in Busturia, writes BiciCiclismo. Imanol Estévez, victor in Lemoiz five days ago, came in third, while Chetout placed just inside the top ten in ninth. Naturgas took to the start line in Bizcaya with Jon Larrinaga, Mikel Iturria, Loïc Chetout, Karl Baudron, Alain Santamaría, Víctor Etxeberria, Imanol Estévez, Oier Sánchez, Pablo Comins and Alain González, according to Euskaltel's homepage.