After many months of speculation, Juan Manuel Garate finally signed his contract for Belkin. But he says he is still awaiting his race program from the Dutch team.

“I am officially registered as a Belkin rider,” he told Biciciclismo. “I am available and waiting for a program of training and competition. We have made progress, we have spoken, but the issue is not completed.”

Cyclingnnews spoke to Belkin who confirmed that they are still yet to decide on Garate’s role within the team and he is not currently on any race roster.

Garate’s contract ran out at the end of last year and he agreed a verbal contract with Belkin to ride for another year. But in February it came out that Garate had refused to sign the contract, citing personal reasons, although he has stated that money was not the reason he refused to sign.

"I'm the only one who has fought for this, I lost time, money and even health,” said Garate. “But I think it is something I must do for the sport and for the future. I don’t want be a Bosman.”

“I've been fighting alone since December, quietly, as I believe the subject requires, and I am with a Dutch lawyer. I do not ask anyone's help. I feel like Don Quixote against the windmills and the windmills here are very large (referring to the Spanish book where the lead character goes to fight windmills, mistaking them for Giants). I decided to step in front, alone, with all the consequences.”

Garate told Biciciclismo that he didn’t sign on as he felt that the team didn’t treat the riders as employees and that his decision was down to his working rights. Belkin won the court case and Garate was forced to sign the original contract, giving him 150,000 when he wanted 350,000.

“Employees are workers, but we no contract reflects us as such; we are seen as individuals, something that is unacceptable and illegal. It is a bad habit that must be corrected,” says Garate. “I have no unemployment coverage for professional contingencies. I have no health insurance card and therefore neither do my children. Yes we have the agreement for the top athletes, but only gives you medical coverage.”

Garate is now 37 and as his contract is only a year long, this may be his last contract as a pro, meaning he would leave the sport on a very sour note.