Landis banned in France

American Landis tested positive for steroid testosterone on July 20 last year and was last September handed a two-year ban by the American Anti-Doping Agency USADA which runs till January 29 2009.

The USADA ban meant Landis was suspended for competitions organised by cycling's world governing body the UCI and affiliated national cycling federations.

This new AFLD ban, which also runs to January 29, 2009, means Landis cannot now compete in France in events outside the jurisdication of the French cycling federation though he has the right to appeal to France's highest administration ruling body, the Conseil d'Etat.