Tinkoff-Saxo reject Bobby Julich and Daniel Healey 'firing' rumours

Tinkoff-Saxo have attempted to clarify the situation over their head coach Bobby Julich and head of sport science Daniel Healey, after reports on Monday suggested that both had been fired from their roles with the WorldTour team.

The Russian outfit confirmed that the pair would be leaving the team after the conclusion of the 2015 season, but insisted in a statement that it was by "mutual decision" and that the "decision was reached amicably", contrary to some reports.

Julich joined the team in 2014 under the management of Bjarne Riis, having left Team Sky in 2012 under the British team's zero tolerance policy on former dopers before working with BMC, but now takes his leave from Tinkoff after the dismissal of Riis by team owner Oleg Tinkov earlier this year.

The American former rider was missing from the team's line-up of staff at the Tour de France, with two other former Sky staff Steven de Jongh and Sean Yates on hand, and will now leave along with Healey at the end of the season.

"Tinkoff-Saxo would like to clarify some incorrect reporting that was released yesterday by certain publications, in regard to Bobby Julich and Daniel Healey," the team said in a statement.

"All parties had agreed to make this announcement once the season was over in order not to distract the team while at the races, but now feel the need to make an official joint statement to clear things up.

"At no time were Bobby Julich or Daniel Healey fired from Tinkoff-Saxo. Several weeks ago, a mutual decision was made on behalf of all parties involved to end their professional relationship due to a difference in opinion regarding the future vision of the team. This decision was reached amicably.

"Tinkoff-Saxo holds both Julich and Healey in high regard and wishes them all the best in their future endeavours."

While there's been no news on immediate replacements for the pair, Tinkoff have already been active in the rider transfer market this summer, signing Britain's Adam Blythe from Orica-GreenEdge on a one-year contract.