The French Anti-Doping Agency says American cyclist Floyd Landis cannot compete in France until 2009 regardless of the outcome of his doping appeal before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Landis was stripped of the 2006 Tour de France title after testing positive for a synthetic version of the male hormone testosterone. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency banned him from competition until January 2009. Landis has appealed to the CAS, and a ruling is expected early next year.
Because of an ongoing dispute between the International Cycling Union and the Amaury Sports Organization, which promotes the Tour de France, next year's Tour could be organized outside the auspices of the French Cycling Federation. In that case, Landis could have raced in the 2008 Tour.
The French Anti-Doping Agency decided to impose its own ban against Landis, which would include all events in France, even those organized outside the jurisdiction of the French federation. Landis has the right to appeal the ruling, but is not likely to until after his case is decided.
The former Phonak team rider won the 2006 Tour after an amazing comeback in the 17th stage. However, he later tested positive for drugs and was stripped of the title. The International Cycling Union has declared Spain's Oscar Pererio the 2006 winner.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
