French newspaper L’Equipe reported that the Kazakhstan Cycling Federation has agreed to terminate Johan Bruyneel’s contract with Astana making him free to manage Lance Armstrong’s new RadioShack team in 2010.
Bruyneel had one year left on his contract with Astana, but financial problems earlier in the season eroded his trust in the Kazakh management motivating the Belgian to find a way out.
Frenchman Yvon Sanquer will be Bruyneel’s replacement at Astana next season. Sanquer directed the Mutuelle de Seine et Marne team in the mid 90s, and the Festina team from 1999 to 2001, taking over after the team’s infamous 1998 doping scandal.
The new director met with Alberto Contador Wednesday at the 2010 Tour de France presentation to reassure the Spaniard about the team’s new management structure.