Toyota-United sacks Andreu

The Toyota-United Pro Cycling team has sacked directeur sportif Frankie Andreu, the team and Andreu announced today. In a team statement, owner Sean Tucker said that Andreu had been sacked because his "other obligations and commitments" meant he "was not able to fulfill his contractual obligations" to the team.

However, his dismissal seems to have come as a surprise to Andreu. Andreu was informed that his contract with the team was being terminated on July 25, when he returned to the US from the Tour de France. "I am very surprised and disappointed to be told to leave especially after all the hard work of putting together this first year team," he said.

It's not clear which "other obligations" have caused the split. Andreu was at the Tour de France as a colour commentator for the Outdoor Life Network, a role he has performed since 2001.

Andreu was also in the news for more controversial reasons recently. In a dispute between Lance Armstrong and SCA Promotions, the insurance company that had underwritten Armstrong's bonus for winning the 2004 Tour de France, Andreu testified that he had heard Armstrong say he had used performance-enhancing substances before developing cancer. Armstrong denied the allegation.

According to Tucker, Harm Jansen will continue as team director for Toyota-United.