CyclingNews.com reported that Tyler Hamilton’s contract has been terminated by the Phonak Cycling Team under pressure from the International Cycling Union (UCI). The firing actually took place on November 25, but was not made public until today. Team Phonak had hoped that taking this action would result in the UCI favorably reconsidering its application for a UCI ProTour license, but this was not the case.
Earlier this year, Tyler Hamilton was accused of twice violating UCI rules on homologous blood transfusions. I think he appeared to be in a stronger position when he was attached to a major professional cycling team, so the UCI exerted tremendous pressure on the team to distance itself from their team leader.
Now that these events have taken place, it will be interesting to see how Hamilton’s handles the appeal of the anti-doping test results.