Landis pleads for 'fair trial'

Floyd Landis does not blame those who believe he is a drugs cheat but has pleaded to be given "a fair trial".

The American tested positive for illegal levels of testosterone during his Tour de France victory this summer and the 31-year-old has protested his innocence ever since his failed test but can see why his critics would feel otherwise.

"I don't fault people for believing I must be guilty," he said in the Mail on Sunday. "If I were looking in from the outside, I'd be feeling exactly the same way. But I'd like to be given a fair trial and the evidence to be considered with an open mind."

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) rejected Landis' motion to have the case against him dismissed in September and he is now scheduled to present his formal appeal to a panel from the American Arbitration Society early next year.

Suspicions arose over Landis following his incredible recovery to win the 17th stage of the Tour and he admits he did not help his case by giving a variety of explanations for his positive test.

He placed responsibility on the whiskey he consumed the evening of the 16th stage, the cortisone injections he was allowed for a hip injury, his thyroid medication and even naturally-produced testosterone.

He said: "It was a mistake to come out with those things but I'm not an expert and I'm very unhappy that I've had to become one."