January 7, 2007 – Floyd Landis (formerly with Phonak), will benefit from a special fund set up for his defense against doping charges, according to Reuters. The “Floyd Fairness Fund” has been set up to defray professional and legal costs incurred while Landis clears his name, explained his manager, Michael Henson, in an email sent to Reuters. He said that Landis supporters hope to raise $2 million for the fund. Henson added that this is much less than sports bureaucrats will likely spend (of taxpayers’ money) to try and convict Landis.

Landis won the 2006 Tour de France, but tested positive for testosterone doping immediately afterward and his title has since been in dispute.

Meanwhile, Landis announced on his website (www.floydlandis.com) that he will be racing in a Colorado mountain biking event this year. “I started my racing career on a mountain bike in 1993. I’m looking forward to getting back to my roots. Training for Leadville will be great preparation for a return to the Tour de France. With my successful hip resurfacing and my training load increasing, I’m very much looking forward to racing my bike again.”