Samuel Sanchez is the biggest name on the Euskaltel team but so far the team captain has not found a new team for the 2014 season following the demise of his current squad. The Spaniard still hopes to continue his career but is gradually getting used to the idea of bringing his career to a premature end.

When it was announced that the Euskaltel team would fold at the end of the season, it was clear that many of the teams riders would be unable to find a new team for the 2014 season. With the news of Fernando Alonso taking over the license, many riders put their contract negotiations on hold and many have had a hard time finding a new home at a time when most teams have completed their rosters.

However, most expected that the team's main star, former Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez, would have no difficulty continuing his career at the highest level. Nonetheless, the Spaniard still hasn't signed a contract  and he now appears despondent.

 “As things stand today I’ve got nothing in place," he told Radio Nacional. "It’s very difficult to find a WorldTour jersey for next year because all of the team rosters are pretty much closed. The economic crisis is affecting sport and cycling in a severe way. Teams are disappearing and this leads to a glut of cyclists on the market and a lack of teams to house them all.” 

Sanchez was rumoured to be in negotiations with Saxo-Tinkoff where he could join close friend Alberto Contador. However, he denies that there has been any contact at all.

 “Up to now there has been no contact with the Saxo Bank team," he said. "Let’s hope there is."

Sanchez has won stages in the Tour and the Vuelta and finished on the podium in both races. However, his 2013 season has not been on par with his previous exploits with a stage win in the Dauphiné being his major result.

Sanchez still believes that he can return to his best.

“This year I have perhaps not had the luck or ridden at the same level as other years but that doesn’t mean that next year I won’t have a stellar season,” he said. “My head is good and my legs are too. I just need to find a little bit of peace and sporting stability, and get back to working on the bike."

Despite his desire to continue, he may have to put a premature end to his career if a new opportunity does not turn up.

"Time goes by, and even if I do not want to end my career, I'm getting used to the idea of retirement," he told Diario Vasco.

A crash at the world championships forced him to miss his races in Lombardy and Beijing and he now plans to travel to Japan to honour an agreement with bike sponsor Orbea. Afterwards, he will enjoy a small vacation with his wife while also trying to clarify his future.