Tempers are running high and accusations are being hurled in all direction in the Euskaltel-Euskadi camp at present. Executive Director of the company Basque Pro Cycling Team, Mikel Astorkiza, has convened the 14 riders under contract to inform them that the company will close down and has started the procedures for liquidating their contracts, according to Tuttobiciweb.it.

This has apparently caused great anger among the riders who, led by team captain Samuel Sanchez, have criticized the leadership for its way of conducting negotiations with the group associated with Formula One star Fernando Alonso who has expressed a willingness to acquire the team’s license and renewing the contracts of the riders but wanting to conduct something resembling a purge in the management of the team. According to the riders the team management has made unrealistic demands and has proved unwilling to make way for replacements.

Meanwhile, according to Spanish sports daily AS, the riders have entered into negotiations with other teams in order to secure their future careers. Samuel Sanchez, AS reports, is negotiating with Saxo-Tinkoff where he would join forces with compatriot Alberto Contador. Sanchez’ reported annual salary of 1,6 million euro could be a stumbling block, however. One solution for the Asturian rider could be to sign a one-year contract with the Saxo-Tinkoff squad at a reduced salary and then join Alonso’s team in 2015 should that team materialize.

As far as the remaining Euskaltel-Euskadi riders are concerned, brothers Jon and Gorka Izagirre seem destined to join Movistar, while Mikel Nieve appears Sky bound. Mikel Landa is reported to be close to signing for three years with Astana while Igor Anton could finish inside the ranks of Omega Pharma-Quick Step.