The Belgian cyclo-cross team Sunweb-Pro Job and its American rider Jonathan Page have agreed to settle their differences, and to shorten his contract for one year.
The 'war of words' came to an end last weekend when Page called in sick only a few hours before a race Saturday. Page didn't appreciate the fact that the team sent a doctor to his house to check him out, and soon enough, accusations of mistrust and bad feelings flew from both sides.
In a statement on its website, the team said that it had accepted Page's apology for his comments in the press. "Both parties regret that the team and its sponsors have suffered damage because of the rider's statements. Both parties have agreed to terminate the existing contract as of February 28, 2008; at that time a possible further cooperation will be further studied." Page's contract was originally to run through 2009.
Team manager Jurgen Mettepenningen hoped "that Jonathan Page will concentrate fully on his riding for the coming three months and will constructively cooperate with the team for the benefit of Sunweb-Pro Job," the statement continued. Neither side would issue any additional comment. "The main thing is to focus on the team's sporting performance so that Sunweb-Pro Job can take its place at the head of the group."
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