After a reported fallout with team owner Oleg Tinkov, Tinkoff-Saxo manager Bjarrne Riis and the team have mutually agreed to terminate the Dane’s contract.

For many, the writing was on the wall and Biciciclismo reported earlier this week that the team were looking to shortlist replacements for the Dane, with Italian Omar Piscina being touted as the top candidate for the job after he worked with Tinkov as a DS in Tinkov’s previous venture into cycling, with Tinkoff Credit Systems.

The team has struggled up until this point in the season, winning only two races the whole year: Contador in the Rita del Sol and Sagan in Tirreno-Adriatico. Contador hasn’t quite been his usual self this season in the stage races but his performance cant be criticized yet, as he has been carrying the team. Sagan has struggled so far, most notably in Strada Bianche and E3, where he found himself unable to follow the big attacks.

Here is an official statement from the team regarding the mutual agreement to terminate Bjarne Riis’ contract:

Tinkoff Sport A/S - Managing company of team Tinkoff Saxo - and Bjarne Riis have reached a mutual agreement to terminate all contracts entered between Tinkoff Sport A/S and Bjarne Riis with immediate effect. All terms of said agreement shall remain confidential and both parties shall abstain from making any further comment‎. Early next week, Tinkoff Saxo will announce, in a separate statement, the new structure of its technical and performance group. Tinkoff Saxo would like to thank its title sponsors, Tinkoff Bank and Saxo Bank, as well as all its other sponsors and suppliers for their continued support and confidence shown ‎in the team. At the same time, the team looks forward to continuing receiving the support of its fans both on the road and on its social media platforms.