Belgian apparently compensated after taking 80% pay cut at Omega Pharma-Quick Step
Thomas De Gendt has come to an agreement with Vacansoleil-DCM general manager Dan Luijkx over the issue of his unfulfilled contract, the Dutch team reports. The 27-year-old Belgian was committed long-term to the team, but found himself forced to seek employment elsewhere after Luijkx was unable to find replacements for either Vacansoleil or DCM, who ended their support of the team this year.
De Gendt did manage to secure a ride with Omega Pharma-Quick Step, but it then emerged that - having failed to live up to his Giro d’Italia third place of 2012 - he had had to take an 80% pay cut. Since he was contracted to Vacansoleil-DCM, however, the Belgian had threatened the Dutch team with a lawsuit to force it to fulfil its obligations, but both parties have come to an agreement.
“It's great that we have come out of this so everyone can look ahead,’ Luijkx said. “I want to thank Thomas for helping think this through and wish him well in 2014. I hope now that everyone in our team who are still out of work over the next few months to work.”
The vast majority of Vacansoleil-DCM’s 2013 roster of riders has managed to find a new team for next year, although many have had to step down a level from their current WorldTour ProTeam. Some riders, including Slovenian Grega Bole, and Dutchmen Bert-Jan Lindeman and Wout Mol, have yet to find a ride for 2014, however, while several of the team’s staff are still seeking employment elsewhere.