Following on from comments made by Patrick Lefevere about a break down in negotiations with Sep Vanmarcke, the LottoNL-Jumbo rider has confirmed he isn’t going to be joining Etixx-QuickStep.

“I can’t tell you where I’ll ride next season.” Vanmarcke said. “I’ve weighed up all the options. I will decide soon. There was a conversation with Team Quick Step, but nothing became concrete.”

The podium finisher in both Flanders and Roubaix in the past says negotiations stalled due to his belief that he needed more security, and Etixx-QuickStep could only give him a one-year deal.

“It was an offer for one year, but I prefer a contract for a longer period. Team Quick Step is not my new team.”