Samuel Sanchez still looking for 2015 ride

Spanish rider Samuel Sanchez is still looking for a team for the 2015 season, his agent Michel Gros has revealed.

The 36-year-old, who finished sixth at this year's Vuelta a Espana, has been linked with a move to Lampre-Merida, but no offer has materialised as of yet.

"Even though there is contact with Lampre, I'm very surprised that there's been no offer," Gros told L'Equipe.

"It's worrying. For three years, times have become hard. Teams like Giant and BMC have carried out plans to trim down their teams, no doubt to come into line with the global cycling reforms announced for 2017. The economic crisis has also had its effect and the budgets aren't extendable."

Sanchez, the 2008 Olympic road race champion, only agreed his current short-term deal with BMC in February.