The Asturian still has a number of possibilities, including hopeful ProTour team, Vacansoleil
The destination of Samuel Sanchez for the 2011 season is quickly becoming one of the more watched possibilities heading toward the September 1st open season date for official news, one month distant.
Earlier last week, reports had it that Sanchez might be moving on to a different team for the first time in his career. The Basque team, Euskaltel, will reportedly lose one million euros of its budget for 2011, and might not even race as a ProTour team.
For a rider like the 32 year old Sanchez, the possibility of missing out on the Grand Tours, namely the Tour de France, where he is just coming into his own, should be a nightmare.
Multiple reports over the weekend indicate that Sanchez is looking to remain with the boys in orange. An article in El Diario Vasco indicates that a conversation with the Olympic champion and team director, Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano went well, and that Sanchez will be staying with the team he has raced with for his entire career.
A commitment by the team to focus entirely on his success at the Vuelta and the Tour de France along with the contract extension of young talent Benat Intxausti, who will provide vital support for Sanchez in the coming years in the mountains, seems to have eased the rider who narrowly missed out on a podium spot in Paris.
However, a report this morning from De Telegraaf says that the upward aiming Dutch Professional Continental outfit, Vacansoleil, is looking for the signature of the Oviedo native.
Vacansoleil has made its intentions clear for 2011: it wants a ProTour license, a strong classics team, and a rider capable of a top 10 at the Tour de France. The signing of Samuel Sanchez would accomplish the final goal with ease, but also add firepower to the team for the hilly one-day events.
The Dutch team has already signed Stijn Devolder for 2011, and also had its eyes on Italians Michele Scarponi and Damiano Cunego. It went public this weekend that Scarponi will be headed to Lampre next year, and Cunego looks to be leaning toward an agreement with the new Geox team.
While Sanchez doesn’t carry the same marquee label of a Schleck or Contador, his move for next season could be a huge tipping point. If he leaves the team that can undoubtedly be called HIS Euskaltel team, the Basque squad will be cast adrift in a way. Though it has some formidable talent, the vacuum left by a rider of Sanchez’s caliber will be enormous, while the gain for another team will be equally as important in the positive direction. His performance at this year’s Tour de France was a warning shot for all to see – Sanchez has risen to a new level, and his best years are about to begin.