Juan Manuel Garate may be about to part ways with the Belkin team after a report by Biciciclismo has revealed that the veteran Spaniard has not been registered as a rider of the team by the UCI. Garate never signed the renewal of his contract that the team announced in September and it is not known if and when an agreement between the parties will be reached.

The attentive cycling fan may have noticed that Spanish veteran Juan Manuel Garate still hasn't lined up in any race for Belkin in 2014. This fact may come as a surprise as the team announced that they had renewed their contract with the experienced climb in September.

Biciciclismo has noticed that Garate is not even registered as a Belkin rider in the UCI database and have now learnt the reasons for his absence from competitive action. According to the website, the Spaniard refused to sign his new contract as there were still several disagreements between the parties.

Garate refuses to make any statements until Belkin have issued an announcement but continues to train despite not knowing if and when he will be back in action.

Garate is one of the most experienced grand tour riders in the peloton who has started no less than 26 three-week races. He is a member of the select group of stage winners in all three tours as he took a stage in the 2001 Vuelta and the 2006 Giro while he won the queen stage to the Mont Ventoux in the 2009 Tour during his first season with his current team.

Garate turned professional with Lampre in 2000 and has since been riding for Saunier Duval and Quick Step before signing with the Dutch team. He hasn't put on a number since finishing last year's Vuelta in 71st overall.