Samuel Sanchez has been a surprise victim of the demise of Euskaltel-Euskadi as the team's star rider still hasn't found a new team for 2014. In an interview with Marca, the Spaniard confirms that he is still on the market and confirms recent reports that the Wanty team is trying to sign him for the coming season.
The demise of 5 professional teams have left many riders on the market and forced several into early retirement. However, it has come as a surprise to most that the biggest name on the Euskaltel team, Samuel Sanchez, still hasn't found a new home for the coming season.
Sanchez decided to stay loyal with his current team and was expected to lead the squad if Fernando Alonso had taken over the license as was originally planned. When those negotiations broke down, he was, however, left in a difficult situation on a market that is loaded with talented and unemployed riders.
In an interview with Marca, he confirms that he still hasn't signed a contract for the coming season.
"Until now, everything has been unsuccessful and the big teams are already full," he said. "There are more speculation than facts and at the moment I am an Euskaltel- Euskadi rider."
Sanchez makes it clear that his priority is to ride on a WorldTour team.
"[I want to ride for] a top level team," he said. "I still have much cycling in my legs but the situation is very complicated."
Earlier this week, Trek confirmed that they had been unable to match Chris Horner's economic demands. People have suggested that Sanchez - like Horner - is asking for too much in a market with several unemployed riders but the Spaniard refuses to ride for less than his worth.
"Of course I have to accept reasonable economic conditions but I won't ride for too less than I'm worth," he said. "It has taken me 14 years of my life with dedication and sacrifice, to make a name and I will now throw all this overboard in just one year."
Earlier this week, it was rumoured that the Belgian Wanty team which has taken over then license from the current Accent team and is lead by Vacansoleil sports director Hilaire van der Schueren, had shown interest in Sanchez. The Spaniard confirms the report.
"Whenever a team shows you interest and offers you a job, it is surely positive," he said. "It's a team that is growing every year and wants to become a WorldTour team in the future."
Sanchez has stayed loyal to Euskaltel where he has raced his entire career. Now he lashes out at his squad for not putting him in an optimal position on the market.
"It was a bad outcome and very chaotic with too many different emotions in a short time," he said. "I was left frustrated by the team. If they had seen what was coming, they should have been more honest and let me start to look for a new team."
Alonso has made it clear that he wants to create a new team in 2015. Sanchez does nothing to hide that he would love to be part of the project in the future but still has to find out what to do in 2014.
"Why not?" he said. "It would be a motivating challenge to be one of the leaders in a team that will be on the rise and create history in cycling. But 2015 is still a bit far away.
"It is something I haven't thought about," he said when asked whether he would sit out 2014 to join Alonso's team in 2015. "I think the main thing is to focus on the short term and try to find a team for next year. To sit out a year would be hard."
It is evident that Sanchez is still very motivated and keen to continue his professional career. The 35-year-old still has a number of big objectives.
"To win a great classic which I believe is within my reach and - without a doubt - my big dream: to win gold at the world championships," he said when asked about his goals for 2014
Sanchez ended his season on a bad note when he crashed out of the world championships and had to put a premature end to his racing calendar.
Amanda MILLER 38 years | today |
Clinton EDWARDS 40 years | today |
Mikel LANDA 35 years | today |
Peter WILLIAMS 38 years | today |
Paul DE ROOIJ 41 years | today |
© CyclingQuotes.com