— PHOTO: AP

WINNER TURNS SINNER: Cycling's governing body has confirmed presence of high levels of testosterone in Floyd Landis's backup urine sample and the champion could lose his title.

PARIS: Floyd Landis's back-up doping sample tested positive on Saturday, increasing the prospect of the American cyclist being stripped of his Tour de France victory.

The International Cycling Union said Landis's `B' sample confirmed the initial ``adverse analytical finding'' for higher-than-allowable levels of testosterone.

Landis was immediately fired by his Switzerland-based team, Phonak, and the Tour de France director said the 30-year-old rider was no longer considered the race champion.

If found guilty, Landis also faces a two-year ban from the sport. He continued to deny any wrongdoing and vowed to clear his name.

``I have never taken any banned substance, including testosterone,'' Landis said in a statement. ``I was the strongest man at the Tour de France, and that is why I am the champion.''

Landis' urine sample was analysed at the Chatenay-Malabry lab outside Paris, and the second positive result was announced nearly two weeks after he stood atop the winner's podium on the Champs-Elysees in the champion's yellow jersey.

``The analysis of the sample `B' of Floyd Landis's urine has confirmed the result of an adverse analytical finding notified by the anti-doping laboratory of Paris on 26th July, following the analysis of the sample A,'' the International Cycling Union said.

Initiating proceedings

The UCI said it was asking the U.S. Cycling Federation to open disciplinary proceedings against Landis, and Phonak severed ties with him.

``Landis will be dismissed without notice for violating the teams internal Code of Ethics,'' the team said in a statement.

Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme said Landis was no longer considered champion, but the decision to strip him of his title rests with the UCI.

``It goes without saying that for us Floyd Landis is no longer the winner of the 2006 Tour de France,'' Prudhomme told Associated Press in a telephone interview.

Prudhomme said runner-up Oscar Pereiro of Spain would be the likely new winner. — AP

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