Kocjan - I'm negotiating with a few teams

The next Euskaltel rider to find a team for next year could very well be Jure Kocjan.

The Slovenian joined the team ahead of the current season with a solid reputation and a healthy palmarès, but a mystery virus and subsequent health troubles made the 28-year-old's first season at WorldTour level a write-off.

Still, though, he's not lacking in suitors. The Izagirre brothers, Mikel Landa and Mikel Nieve have all found a home for 2014, and Kocjan might just be the fifth Euskaltel rider to secure his future in the not too distant future.

"This is a difficult time for everyone - and my future is still uncertain - but I'm negotiating with a few teams", he tells Basque Cycling News. "I'm in talks with one Professional Continental team and one Continental-ranked outfit".

Kocjan could understandably not reveal what teams he's in talks with, but did say that one factor is making negotiations hard: his nationality.

"The biggest problem for me is that I'm Slovenian", he revealed. "French teams prefer French riders, Italian teams prefer Italians... Unless you're Peter Sagan, finding a team at this time of year is hard.

"Most teams are done shopping".

With only 25 race days to his name this year, Kocjan is naturally low on UCI points.

His stellar 2012 season, though, highlighted by two stage wins at the Tour de Limousin, still appears to make him a rider in demand.

Photo: BCPT