Samuel Sanchez finally finds a new team. And the Spaniard says that BMC was his last chance to find one, otherwise he would retire, according to Marca. Luckily, Sanchez received his best possible birthday gift.

The Beijing olympic champion admits that he rejected several offers that wasn't quite enough on money. And this almost leads to his retirement. Sanchez says, "It was worth the effort. The BMC has many hard working people, every one in his position with great professionalism. The team could not have been better."

Sanchez, however, underlines that World Tour status is more important than financial issues, "I do not ride for money, far from it. That's passion, like what I've always done. I got what I thought from the beginning, a team from the World Tour."

Sanchez said that he would retire if he couldn't find a team in weeks. The retirement is not necessary now as he secures a BMC contract, but when he recalls the months of unemployment and uncertainty, "Every night at bedtime, I analyzed the situation and I saw a team that matches my features. I thought that team was going to notice me." But there's no team. Until BMC arrives. "This was the last chance. If the BMC did not come, it would have been impossible to find a team. We had exhausted all options."

BMC freed up a spot with Ballan's doping suspension, and they use the opportunity to sign the Spanish rider. Of course, with strong climbers like Evans and van Garderen, Sanchez will have to take more domestique responsibility. "I have done many times in Euskaltel to help my teammates. And here I will have some of the best riders to work with, like Cadel Evans."

And being Fernando Alonso's friend, Sanchez says that he received a offer from the former F1 world champion's team, too. And that offer will start from 2015. Which might explain that Sanchez only signed with BMC for one year.