American cyclist Levi Leipheimer has been fired by the Omega Pharma-Quick Step cycling team after confessing to doping as part of the investigation that brought down Lance Armstrong.

Leipheimer was Armstrong's teammate for five years during spells with the US Postal Service, Astana and RadioShack teams before joining Quick Step this season.

The team said on Tuesday that Leipheimer's contract was terminated "in the light of the disclosures".

In a statement, the team commended the rider for "his open co-operation with USADA and contribution to cleaning up the sport of cycling".

Leipheimer is serving a reduced six-month suspension for his doping violations.