Fumiyuki Beppu (open in new tab) has terminated his contract with Trek-Segafredo (open in new tab) and will leave the team at the end of 2019.

The 36-year-old Japanese rider, who joined the US-registered team in 2014, signed a two-year contract extension this time last year, emphasizing his ambition to run the Olympic Games in his home country next year.

However, Trek-Segafredo released a statement Thursday morning announcing that Beppu would be leaving the team at the end of the year.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity Trek Segafredo has given me and I cannot thank the organization enough for the past six years.

"It is not an easy decision to leave as I have been part of the Trek family from the beginning. I want to thank everyone on the team, the staff who have supported me over the years, my teammates, and my sponsors. It was a special time in my career that I will never forget."

Beppu moved to Europe in 2005 to begin his professional career with Discovery Channel, where he spent three seasons, followed by two seasons each with Skill Shimano, RadioShack, and Orica GreenEdge. 2014 saw him move to Trek, where he remains today.

Beppu has spent his career as a domestique. His only victories have come in Japan, where he has won five national titles in road racing and time trials and two wins in the Japan Cup criterium.

"Fumiyuki has always played the role of a fair and loyal teammate. I wish him a bright future in his new challenge."