Floyd Landis announced his decision on his personal website www.floydlandis.com . Landis said: "Knowing that the accusations against me are simply wrong, and having risked all my energy and resources –
including those of my family, friends and supporters – to show clearly that I won the 2006 Tour de France fair and square,
I will continue to fight for what I know is right. Doping in sport seems to continue to get worse under the current anti-doping
system, and this is only a part of the huge amount of proof that the WADA/USADA system needs a total overhaul. I will continue
to work to clear my name and fight for change in the name of fairness and justice. No matter the final outcome of my case,
there must be change in the current system if athletes can ever hope to compete on a level playing field and return to the
joy and inspiration that sport can bring all of us."
Landis added: "My hope is that the CAS panel will review my case on the basis of the facts and the science, and to approach
my appeal from the principle that the anti-doping authorities must uphold the highest levels of appropriate process, technical
skill, science and professional standards to pronounce judgment on matters that hold an athlete’s career, accomplishments
and livelihood in the balance."
The UCI and Tour de France organiser A.S.O. planned that the runner up of the 2006 Tour de France, Oscar Pereiro would
be given the yellow jersey during a ceremony in Madrid on Monday October 15. Yesterday Pereiro renewed his contract
with caisse d'Epargne for two years.
