• Cycling

Omega Pharma-Quick Step axe Leipheimer

ESPN staff
October 16, 2012
Levi Leipheimer came third in the 2007 Tour de France © PA Photos
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The fallout from the United States Anti-Doping Agency's (USADA) report into the Lance Armstrong case claimed another victim on Tuesday as American Levi Leipheimer had his contract terminated by Omega Pharma-Quick Step.

Leipheimer admitted to taking performing enhancing drugs during his role as a witness in the USADA investigation, which found that Armstrong led a "sophisticated" doping programme that was followed by many of his team-mates.

Leipheimer was one of 11 former team-mates to testify, admitting to his own wrongdoing for an eight-year period between 1999 and 2007. During that spell he rode for Saturn, US Postal Service, Rabobank, Gerolsteiner and Astana.

"We commend the rider for his open cooperation with USADA and contribution to cleaning up the sport of cycling," Omega Pharma-Quick Step said in a statement on Velo News.

"However, in the light of the disclosures made by Mr Leipheimer in his public statement on October 10 the team has decided to terminate the contract.

"This decision has the full support of the team owner, the board represented by Mr Bessel Kok and team manager Mr Patrick Lefevere."

Leipheimer came third in the 2007 Tour de France, won bronze at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, and won the US professional road race championship in 2007. He was not immediately available for comment following Tuesday's developments.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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