Igor Anton was long rumoured to be joining Omega Pharma-Quick Step but wasn't one of the 30 riders that earned a spot on the roster for 2014. However, a door may be opened for the Basque to join the Belgian squad if Kevin De Weert fails to recover from the injuries he sustained in a horrific crash in the Vuelta a Espana.

Most of the Euskaltel riders are still left without the contract following the demise of the Basque team. Surprisingly, that's also the case for two of the team's greatest stars, Samuel Sanchez and Igor Anton.

While Sanchez is rumoured to be joining the Wanty team, Anton was long linked to a move to Omega Pharma-Quick Step. However, negotiations were put on hold when Fernando Alonso tried to take over the Euskaltel license.

The breakdown of those negotiations have left Anton in an unfortunate situation. With the signings of Jan Bakelants and Thomas De Gendt, Omega Pharma-Quick Step has the maximal number of 30 riders on its 2014 roster and so there is no longer any room for Anton.

However, the parties have stayed in contact and had a meeting in October where the possibility of Anton joining the team in 2015 was discussed. Yesterday Anton confirmed that he still hasn't found a team for 2014.

A door may now be open for Anton though. Kevin De Weert had a bad crash in the Vuelta and was forced to abandon with fractures of his left tibia and his right clavicle and a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee and cervical fracture. He stayed in a Spanish hospital for several days before returning to Belgium for further recovery.

Unfortunately, the injuries are so serious that the Belgian climber's career may have come to a premature end and at present, his future on the team is uncertain. Spaziociclismo reports that Anton may take De Weert's spot on the roster, should the Belgian be unable to return to the highest level or should his recovery take longer than expected.

De Weert suffered his fall in the Vuelta's only time trial after what had been a less spectacular season for the Belgian.