Pretty dumb to go on about getting a fax instead of what? a letter with a wax seal on a tear-stained envelope. The guy would want to hear it first before the rags went to press with the scoop.
If he's got a contract, the notice requirements will be spelled out there very well. As if how you're notified is the issue anyway.
It's not like Ulrich has a 9-5 job and expected to be called into HR on Monday. Ulrich's fans spit on Lance in '04 but Ulrich is a great sportsman. I hope he can somehow come back to the sport but it sure seems like this year was his best shot at the Tour.