Release fee and high salary reduce list of contenders

Amid rumours that a verbal agreement has already been made, the move of Mark Cavendish to the Omega Pharma Quick Step team is said to be moving closer to being finalized.



The world champion has already confirmed that he is leaving Team Sky, saying that he doesn't have the backing there he was expecting.



"We had this idea that we could have this British super team that could win stages and dominate. Dave [Brailsford, Sky's performance director] sold me the idea last year but for some reason it hasn't worked out like that. It's difficult to do,” he told the Guardian earlier this month.



“It's like a long distance relationship with a girl. Everything is great but you live apart and it can't work out. But you want to be friends and you would rather the best thing happens so that everything can remain good and that you can stay close. I've been very happy at Sky. I don't want to compromise Sky and hopefully Sky won't compromise me.”



His 2013 destination is yet to be announced, but amid talk that Katusha and BMC Racing Team had shown interest, Omega Pharma Quick Step is believed to be almost certain.



What’s slowed the completion of negotiations is the issue of a release fee. Cavendish said that he hoped it wouldn’t arise, but according to Sport.be.msn.com, Brailsford is looking for a payment of €1.25 million to release him.



In addition to that, the website states that Cavendish’s salary is estimated at €3 million, making his acquisition a very expensive commitment for any team.



However with the team’s Czech backer Zdenek Bakala and the bike manufacturer Specialized keen to get him on board, it is expected that the issue will be sorted out and his signing announced soon.