Antón chooses Omega Pharma-QuickStep

According to a reliable Spanish website, Igor Antón will ride for Omega Pharma-QuickStep in 2014.

According to BiciCiclismo, "only Antón's signature" is lacking. Allegedly he's "very close to reaching an agreement" with Patrick Lefevere's powerhouse squad after being convinced by their offer.

The signing of the contract and the transfer is likely to be confirmed during the weekend, writes the website.

Antón has courted interest from a number of teams, not least Team Sky, Astana and Lampre-Merida, but now appears set on a move to the Belgian team.

The mercurial climber's long-stated goal was to finish his career in Euskaltel colours, but he's nonetheless looking forward to this "enforced change of teams".

"It's a strange feeling (knowing the team will cease to exist", he said. "I've always said I'd like to retire here, like Roberto Laiseka once did. It's always been a very special and different team. It's a sad situation, but you have to move on. The victories, the good times and the friendships made will stay with me.

"My motivation now is to return to my best form", he added, referring to his shape of 2010 and 2011. "A change in teams, an enforced one in this case, makes me a bit scared, but I think it'll be good for me.  To change scenery and to discover another type of bike riding might lift me. Time will tell".

The Vuelta a España is likely to be Antón's final appearance in the famous orange jersey. To mark the occasion, he's channelling all his energies into taking what would be a fifth stage triumph in the race.

Photo: Orbea