Disgraced American cyclist Floyd Landis, who tested positive for steroids during last year's Tour de France, plans to appeal his doping case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Last month a combined U.S. and world anti-doping arbitration panel ruled 2-1 against Landis, upholding the finding that the cyclist used synthetic testosterone during his victory at the 2006 Tour de France.
Landis has denied using performance-enhancing drugs. In a news release on the Floyd Fairness Fund website, Landis restated his belief that the charges against him are wrong and vowed to fight for what he knows is right.
Landis said he hopes the Court would review his case on the basis of facts. The Court decision would be final and binding. If Landis loses his appeal, he would face a two-year ban and would be the first person in the 105-year history of the Tour de France to lose the title because of a doping offense.
There is no word yet on when his case would be heard.
While acknowledging that the initial drug test was inaccurate, the arbitration panel said September 20 a more sensitive test showed that Landis used synthetic testosterone when he won the Tour.
Meanwhile, Spanish cyclist Oscar Pereiro is scheduled to receive Landis's yellow winner's jersey next week. The Spanish cyclist finished second in last year's Tour, and the International Cycling Union recognized him as the winner immediately after Landis lost his earlier appeal.
