Thomas Dekker linked to Garmin-Chipotle

Will Thomas Dekker's future be decided soon? It is beginning to look more and more as if the rider and Team Rabobank are on the verge of ending his contract, which runs through 2010. There was another meeting Wednesday between Dekker, his lawyers and team director Harold Knebel. Dekker's attorney, Hans van Oijen, told Sportwereld, "the discussions concerning the future of my client at Rabobank are in the winding-up stage." The team's attorney, Eric Vilé, indicated that a final decision is expected by the end of the week.

Dekker could not be reached for comment, but on his website he said that he hoped to be able to explain the situation to his fans soon.

According to Sportwereld however, he won't be unemployed for long. The Belgian site said that he has practically agreed to a contract with Team Garmin-Chipotle, the US Professional Continental Team, with the prospect of signing with the team as soon as his contract with Rabobank is broken, instead of waiting for the end of the season.

The reason for the dissatisfaction between Rabobank and Dekker, once considered the next great Dutch rider, has been variously given as conflict with the management or "a reciprocal lack of trust". In addition, it was said that there questions about the 23 year-old's blood values, although he released a letter from the UCI which said that there was nothing in his blood values which would prevent him from racing.