In recent weeks, Samuel Sanchez has been heavily linked with a move to Team Tinkoff-Saxo but Oleg Tinkov is rumoured to have blocked the signing of a contract. Alberto Contador has now expressed his voice of support for the former Euskaltel leader, stating that he would love to have a rider of Sanchez' quality at his side.

2014 has already started but there are still no positive news for Samuel Sanchez. The former captain of the Euskaltel-Euskadi team is still without a team following the collapse of the Basque squad where he has spent his entire career.

In December, Sanchez was heavily linked with a move to Team Tinkoff-Saxo, with rumours claiming that the parties had already reached a verbal agreement. However, Sanchez suddenly made several media presences just before Christmas, claiming that he still had no concrete agreement.

It was reported that the new owner of Team Tinkoff-Saxo, Oleg Tinkov, had blocked the signing of a new contract, with the businessman being more keen to focus on young and Russian riders. Although both Tinkov himself and his spokesman Stefano Feltrin have sine refused those claims, the facts are that Sanchez still hasn't signed a new contract.

One thing that speaks in favour of Sanchez joining the Danish team, is his great relationship with team captain Alberto Contador. The multiple grand tour winner has often praised Sanchez and claimed that he would be happy to have him at his side and he has now reiterated that stance.

“Samuel is a great rider and we get on really well but I don’t know exactly how the situation is in terms of conversations with the team,” he told Marca, before adding that he would probably know more when his team has assembled for a training camp next week.

However, Contador refuses to rule out a signing of Sanchez.

“Is it a possibility? I’d like that,” he said. “Who wouldn’t like a rider of his quality on his team? And all the more so given the great relationship we have.”

Just before Christmas, Team Tinkoff-Saxo was rocked by the positive Clenbuterol test that Michael Rogers returned after winning the Japan Cup. Contador has himself tested positive for the substance at the 2010 Tour de France but has always claimed that its presence was due to food contamination.

Rogers has made similar claims in his defence, referring to the fact that WADA has issued a warning of contamination of Chinese meat. Rogers rode the Tour of Beijing before travelling to Japan.

Contador expresses full confidence in Rogers.

“I hope that everything can be clarified. Personally I think it was due to contamination,” he said. “I have full confidence in Michael and I hope that they can clarify the matter. He is a fundamental part of our team."

If Rogers is suspended, it could open a vacant spot on the roster. However, Contador says that a replacement is not guaranteed

“As for a possible replacement, today I have a pretty solid team, we’re at an advanced date and it’s not strictly necessary," he said.

In 2014, the world championships will be held on a hilly course in Ponferrada in Contador's home country. The multiple grand tour winner plans to do the Vuelta a Espana and could carry his form on to the battle for the rainbow jersey.

The circuit contains two climbs that are not overly steep and most people have suggested that the race is more for classics riders than for pure climbers. Contador admits that he would have preferred a harder course.

"[I would have liked] the course to be harder and not for the sprinters but I have to see it myself before making my final opinion," he said.

Contador will start his season at the Volta ao Algarve in February.