Janier Acevedo was set to support Rigoberto Uran in the major stage races for Omega Pharma-Quick Step next year but according to a report by Wielerflits, the Colombian climber has broken a verbal agreement with the Belgian team. Instead, he has apparently signed a contract with Garmin-Sharp which continues to strengthen their stage race roster for the future.

On September 1, Omega Pharma-Quick Step announced the signing of Colombian climber Janier Acevedo and explained that the current Jamis rider would play a crucial role in the team's new focus on the GC in grand tours. Manager Patrick Lefevre explained that the Colombian would both support new signing Rigoberto Uran and take his own chances in select races.

Apparently, the contract was never signed and the announcement was only based on a verbal agreement between the parties. According to a report in Wielerflits, Acevedo has now broken that agreement and instead signed a contract with Garmin-Sharp with Lefevre telling the Dutch website that Acevedo has made some "unfortunate statements about the team lately and that he still thinks "that he could win six UCI races a year with us.”

Acevedo has had a breakthrough season while riding for the small American continental team Jamis-Hagens Berman. He won stages in both the Tour of California and the USA Pro Challenge and finished in the top 4 in those two races and the final big American stage race, Tour of Utah. His climbing skills have made him a hot name on the transfer market and Omega Pharma-Quick Step appeared to be come out triumphant in the battle for his signature. Instead, he may now be the next of several riders that will strengthen Garmin-Sharp in the stage races next year.

If the rumour is confirmed, it leaves a vacant spot on the Omega Pharma-Quick Step team who announced the signing of Jan Bakelants as their 30th and final signing last week. Lefevre reportedly preferred Bakelants over Thomas De Gendt but today's rumours may open opportunities for De Gendt as well.