Text Only
Search

 
Second Doping Test Positive for US Tour de France Winner

05 August 2006

Floyd Landis walks away after his news conference in Madrid, Friday
Floyd Landis walks away after a news conference in Madrid (file photo)
The secondary drug test of Tour de France winning cyclist Floyd Landis has come up positive for a performance-enhancing drug.

The Phonak cycling team fired the American shortly after the results were announced Saturday in Paris by the International Cycling Union.

The stunning cycling victory by Landis has been under a cloud of controversy since an initial urine test conducted after the 17th stage of the race showed an elevated testosterone ratio.

The case will now be referred to the United States Doping Agency, which could take several weeks to ultimately decide the matter.

The 30-year-old Landis could be stripped of his Tour de France title - the first time in its history a winner would be disqualified for doping. Second-place finisher Oscar Pereiro of Spain would be declared the winner.

The American could also receive a two-year ban from the sport.

2006 Tour de France winner Floyd Landis waves the US flag as he rides down the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris following the final stage of the race
 Floyd Landis waves US flag as he rides down  Champs-Elysees  following final stage of Tour de France
Landis staged a remarkable comeback on the 17th stage of the Tour, overcoming a poor performance the day before to surge from 11th to third place overall.

His representatives have offered a number of explanations for the high testosterone to epitestosterone ratio in his first test, including thyroid medication for his ailing hip.

But The New York Times reported earlier this week that his initial urine sample turned up traces of synthetic testosterone.

 

emailme.gif E-mail This Article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Related Stories
Tour de France Champion Landis Denies Doping
Tour de France Champion Landis Tests Positive for Steroids
American Cyclist Landis Wins Tour de France
 
  Top Story
Obama Pays Tribute to Fort Hood Shooting Victims

  More Stories
Bomb Rocks Northwestern Pakistan
Obama to Address Human Rights on Debut Trip to Asia
US Urges North Korea Not to Escalate Tensions in Yellow Sea
British PM Defends Military Mission in Afghanistan  Audio Clip Available
Tropical Storm Ida Downgraded; Moves Inland
Cross-Examination Begins in War Crimes Trial of Former Liberian President  Audio Clip Available
US Development of H1N1 Vaccine Hits Snag  Video clip available
Asia to Welcome President Obama  Video clip available
Obama Makes First China Tour as Economic Interdependence Grows  Audio Clip Available  Video clip available
APEC Marks 20 Years, Looks to Future of Regional Trade  Audio Clip Available
Clinton Urges 'Compassion' for Americans Detained in Iran  Audio Clip Available
World War II Museum Expansion Aims at Younger Generations  Audio Clip Available  Video clip available
North Carolina World War II Veterans Honored in Washington  Video clip available