American rider Levi Leipheimer has been sacked by the Quick-Step Cycling Team after admitting he took banned substances as part of the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) investigation into doping in the sport.

The 38-year-old was one of 11 former team-mates of Lance Armstrong to testify against the seven-times Tour de France winner who was stripped of those titles and banned for life by Usada in August.

“Quick-Step Cycling Team announces that the contract with Mr Leipheimer has been terminated, effective immediately,” the team said yesterday. “We commend the rider for his open co-operation with Usada and contribution to cleaning up the sport of cycling. However, in the light of the disclosures made by Mr Leipheimer . . . the team has decided to terminate the contract.”