Scrambling to get a new contract for the 2014 season, Thomas De Gendt has been forced to accept a pay cut of 80% when he signed his deal with Omega Pharma-Quick Step. On the back of a season with few top results, the Belgian saw no other way to stay at the top level than to accept the proposal.

Yesterday Thomas De Gendt finally solved his many problems of finding a team for the 2014 season when the long-rumoured signing with the Omega Pharma-Quick Step team was announced. However, it has been a costly affair for De Gendt who has to accept a massive pay cut to stay at the top level.

On a market which is floating with cycling talent following the demises of Euskaltel, Vacansoleil, Crelan, Sojasun and Champion System, De Gendt was in a difficult situation when it came to contract negotiations. Furthermore, the rider who won the queen stage and finished 3rd overall in the 2012 Giro d'Italia, has had a terrible season with only a stage win in the Volta a Catalunya on his palmares.

Those facts added up and forced De Gendt to accept an offer that included an 80% pay cut compared to his current Vacansoleil salary.

"Everyone knows the situation in cycling and, along with my performance this year, I could not ask for much," he told Net Nieuwsblad. "The offer was "Take it or leave it!" I still ended up well. When my manager called me with the offer on Wednesday, I immediately said yes. I am grateful that I get this chance. "

De Gendt is the 30th and final rider on the 2014 Omega Pharma-Quick Step roster.