After numerous rumors that have been floating yesterday about American Chris Horner being close to sign the deal with Christina Watches to have his 2014 season saved by his newly hired agent and former team-mate Baden Cooke, the Danish Continental team has conceded today that Vuelta a Espana champion will not be racing with the team this year.

The Danish Continental squad has issued a communication indicating that the negotiations had “failed, despite our best efforts.”

Their status as the Continental team would make it unable for Horner to participate in any three-week stage race, including Vuelta a Espana next edition, while defending his title from 2013 is the most important objective for the 42-year old American in 2014.

“Without having a Grand Tour in our race program it was always going to be a difficult decision for Chris to make,” it said. “We fully understand his decision and hope he can find a sponsor who can support his wish to defend his Vuelta title.

It released an email it said it received late last night from Cooke, who has been acting as an intermediary between Horner and interested teams despite not yet being a UCI-approved agent. 

“I thank you all for your hard work on putting together your best possible deal for Chris,” the team reported Cooke as stating. “We explored this option seriously and with the best intentions. Chris however has decided that he will not take you up on the offer. His desire to defend the Vuelta title being the main reason.”