Being on the brink of prematurely ending his career as a professional cyclist only two weeks ago, the former Euskaltel leader Samuel Sanchez enjoys every bit of the new life that BMC team offered him, as he prepared himself to debut in the black and red outfit of the American squad. In the interview for el Diario Vasco the Asturian rider shares first reflections regarding his quick integation with new employers and team-mates after 14 consecutive seasons spent under the banner of the recently folded Basque team of an entirely different structure.

All the happenings proceeded very quickly after Sanchez has signed a contract with BMC on Saturday February 1, what became public on the following day. Since then, the 36-year old Spaniard has visited Italy where he passed the medical tests required by the UCI, just before travelling to Belgium in order to receive his new clothing kit and a bike.

Sanchez, who celebrated his birthday last Wednesday, was pleasantly surprised by one of his new team-mates and unquestionable BMC leaders, Cadel Evans, while he stayed in Milan on that day. The winner of the 2012 Tour de France had the grace to visit his new partner with a birthday cake to prevent him from spending an important day on his own.

"He learned that I was in Milan, in one of the venues of the team, and that it was the day of my birthday. He approached the hotel with two candles and a cake to celebrate with me. He said he has spent many birthdays alone and didn’t want me to experience it. We spent more than two hours chatting. I found it very polite, very respectful."

Despite his age and unquestionable experience, Sanchez seems to be overwhelmed and dazzled by the highly developed structures and organization of the BMC team after spending whole his professional career sporting the orange Euskaltel outfit, the team which was managed with a definitely different manner.

"Phew. They have an amazing infrastructure. It's a huge team. With over 70 technicians to serve only 28 cyclists. That says it all," he enumerates.

Being grateful for receiving an opportunity to continue his career in cycling, Sanchez didn’t receive an opportunity to thank the wealthy BMC owner in person for such chance yet.  

"No, I haven’t had the opportunity to thank for signing me and for the confidence he has put in me yet," Sanchez revealed.

Before finalizing his deal with the American World Tour squad, Sanchez was linked to many other teams in the likes of Tinkoff-Saxo or Fernando Alonso Cycling Team, but now the Asturian born rider confesses that riding for the BMC as long as possible would be the best way to thank them for throwing him a lifeline.

"If the BMC had offered me two years, I would agree of course. That was clear . In the future I will opt for riding for the BMC as long as possible being grateful for the trust they put in me. About the Fernando Alonso project many things were said, but only information you should trust are ones told by Fernando himself. I hope to make merit for the BMC  and to continue with them in the future. I think I'll fit in here just well," Sanchez told el Diario Vasco.

Being on the brink of ending his career in cycling and not being ready for making such decisions just yet, Sanchez admits to live in the moment and enjoy his new situation day by day without making any long-term prognosis.

"A few months ago I thought of a life out of cycling and now I am in one of the best teams in the world. Who knows what will happen? Now I have to enjoy this experience.”

Even though the former Euskaltel rider is doing well financially, once again he admitted not to be ready to call it a career in the age of 36 and confessed that last months brought him a lot of suffering.

"I could have gone with my head high and start another life outside of professional cycling. But I want to make such decision on my own, together with my family. This time didn’t arrive yet. I wanted to follow. My family has seen me suffer because I didn’t want to give up. Now cyclists are still competitive at forties, " he told el Diario Vasco  

"I am a partner in a Spanish restaurant in Austin (Texas ) which is going very well. And I have a real estate business. I think I would carry on easily with my finances. I also received offers regarding other activities, but my first choice was always to remain rider," Sanchez concluded