Samuel Sanchez will remain professional in 2015. That's the hope of his agent Joona Laukka who acknowledges that "the economic situation is difficult" and admits that it is complicated to find a team at the level that the Spaniard deserves. The Finnnish agent is looking for spot at an elite WorldTeam and hopes to find an opening.

Joona Laukka who was a professional between 1995 and 2002 and is part of the LC Management Agency along with French Michel Le Gros, tells Biciciclismo about the main challenges in the current cycling market.

"The economic situation is difficult right now. Teams do not have money, that's the main problem," he says.

Nevertheless, he works with the idea of ​​keeping Samuel Sanchez in the elite ranks as the Spaniard has been for 15 years, 14 at Euskaltel-Euskadi and 1 at BMC Racing Team.

"We are open to all options provided in the WorldTour. This year he showed that he belongs to a great team like BMC. This is the best solution for everyone. And that's what he wants. He is not a rider that can ride for any team, or a young man at the beginning of his career. He is a great champion, and he can do a great job as he demonstrated at BMC. He is highly respected. He is a special rider and it is even more complicated to find a team for him," he explains.

In 2014, the former Olympic champion helped Philippe Gilbert in the Ardennes and Beijing and Evans at the Giro d'Italia and showed he is still able to achieve remarkable results, finishing sixth in the Vuelta a Espane and fifth in Il Lombardia. 

"It's not easy," Laukka insists. "Today we do not know which teams will be in the WorldTour, there are still some doubts."

Sanchez himself claims that he will decide his future himself. At 36, he still maintains this illusion.

"He will make the decision. We are looking for different options that will do him credit. The final decision is up to him," Laukka says. "I am optimistic. We have to be and we are working on it, knowing it's complicated. Of course, the situation is different from last year. Euskaltel confirmed its disappearance in September and in February he signed with BMC but the situation remains complicated."

The door to the BMC Racing Team seems to be closed but Laukka doesn't want to rule any possibility out.

"They are very happy with him and he is happy with them too. You never know. Last year we signed in January," he recalls.

During his career, Sanchez has been podium at the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana, has won stages in both races, was Olympic champion in 2008, won the Tour of the Basque Country in 2012 and has also done well in the great classics, with podiums in Fleche Wallonne and Il Lombardia and a fourth place at the World Championships.