Tour de France winner Floyd Landis has denied cheating after his Phonak team confirmed he has tested positive for excess levels of testosterone during this year’s event.

FLOYD LANDIS was yesterday confirmed as Tour de France champion after the traditional final stage finish on the Champs Elysees in Paris.

THE American dominance of the Tour de France looks set to continue as Floyd Landis remained in pole position to win this year’s title going into the final weekend of action.

The absence of a certain Texan for the first time in eight years should create a wide-open Tour de France.

FLOYD LANDIS never saw the stump that sent him flying. Landis strayed from the track into a patch of weeds while screaming down a steep descent during his first lap at the 24 Hours of Canaan, a mountain bike relay race in West Virginia.

THE final mountain stage of the 2005 Tour de France passed comfortably yesterday for Lance Armstrong who, barring injury or mishap, will accept his seventh consecutive title in Paris on Sunday.

A gruelling stage 15 saw George Hincapie become first team-mate of Lance Armstrong to win a stage at this year’s Tour de France as the six-time champion retained the yellow jersey against the challenge of Ivan Basso.

American rider Tyler Hamilton abandoned the Tour de France today, complaining of severe back pain.

LANCE ARMSTRONG seized control of the yellow jersey for the first time during his pursuit of a record sixth Tour de France title yesterday, thanks to a display of unmatched power and discipline in the team time-trial from his US Postal outfit.

Lance Armstrong seized control of the yellow jersey for the first time in his pursuit of a record sixth Tour de France title today after his team's time-trial success.