Former Tour of California and Paris-Nice winner Floyd Landis and the management of Team OUCH have agreed to terminate the remainder of his rider contract for 2009 and 2010.
Landis, who served a suspension stemming from his 2006 Tour de France positive doping charge, returned to professional road racing at the 2009 Tour of California. He had successful hip resurfacing surgery in late 2006, and finished second at the 2007 Leadville 100 mountain bike race behind six-time winner Dave Wiens.
In a statement from Momentum Sports Group, which owns and operates Team OUCH, Landis wants to race in longer European races, something the team will not be doing in 2010. Team OUCH -- formerly HealthNet -- is a powerhouse domestic racing team.
"I wish to thank all of the sponsors for their support this year. I would also like to thank everyone at Momentum Sports Group," Landis said. "While I'm excited to pursue other opportunities, I will miss all of my teammates and everyone on staff."
A spokesperson for Rock Racing, the team Landis is rumoured to be joining next season, told BikeRadar Rock Racing hasn't signed any additional riders for 2010, and didn't have any news regarding Landis joining the team. Former US Postal Service team-mate Tony Cruz signed with Rock Racing in late October.
BikeRadar will provide more information as it becomes available. Which team do you think he'll sign with for 2010?