Landis: I did not cheat

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.

In an interview with the website of American magazine Sports Illustrated, Landis insisted he was innocent of injecting testosterone or using a testosterone patch.

Asked directly by columnist Austin Murphy if he had cheated, Landis said: “No, come on, man.”

He added: “I wouldn’t hold it against somebody if they don’t believe me.”

The Phonak team announced today that an A sample from Landis, taken after he won stage 17 of the tour by almost six minutes, found an “unusual” level of testosterone/epitestosterone.

Landis won the Tour de France in Paris on Sunday, finishing 57 seconds ahead of Spaniard Oscar Pereiro.

Landis admitted that he “can’t be hopeful” that the B sample will find a different result. “I’m a realist,” he said.

Testing for testosterone is a difficult area as it is a substance naturally found in the body. Several cyclists have previously returned tests showing high levels.

Landis has hired Spanish doctor Luis Hernandez, who has helped other riders who returned test results showing high levels of testosterone.

“In hundreds of cases, no-one’s ever lost one,” Landis said.

The 30-year-old, who is scheduled to have hip replacement surgery in the coming weeks, suggested the cortisone shots he has been taking for the long-standing problem may have had an effect.

He also admitted to taking hormones to treat a thyroid problem.

“I’ve had a thyroid condition for the last year or so and have been taking small amounts of thyroid hormone,” he said. “It’s an oral dose, one a day.”

Landis faces the prospect of being stripped of his Tour title and sacked by Phonak if his B sample confirms the positive test.