Cycling: Landis still a hero in hometown

FARMERSVILLE, Pennsylvania - Floyd Landis is still a winner to his hometown friends.

With signs, statements and yellow T-shirts calling Landis a hero, residents of this small, southeastern Pennyslvania community showed their support for the beleaguered Tour de France winner on Saturday even as news spread of his second positive test for testosterone.

"People know he is innocent," said Green Mountain Cyclery owner Mike Farrington of nearby Ephrata.

"There's no way he has ever done anything wrong."

Farrington wore a yellow Floyd Landis "Hometown Hero" T-shirt as he spoke about his friend of 13 years, who now lives in southern California.

Signs saying "Floyd is the winner!" and "We Love You!" graced the front of the shop, bustling with customers.

For US$20, ($33) one could purchase a Landis "hero" T-shirt emblazoned with a picture of Landis on a bicycle.

The 30-year-old Landis first learned to ride in this Mennonite community, and support remained strong among his childhood friends.

"All he has accomplished, he has attained through hard work and discipline," said a statement left on the porch of neighbour Tammy Martin's home.

"We are confident he will prove his innocence," the statement added. "It is very unfortunate that these tests were revealed before he had a chance to do so."

"I can't believe he would tell a lie," said neighbor Mabel Horst, a Mennonite who came outside to ask reporters the results of Landis' B sample because she does not own a television.

Landis' parents were not home, having left on a previously planned camping trip on Friday.

"God Bless. Gone Camping" said a sign in their front yard.

Bicyle shop owner Farrington said he had spoken with Landis on Friday and the professional rider remained positive.

"He definitely has a game plan," Farrington said. "An awful lot of (doping test) protocols were broken."

He encouraged reporters to watch appearances by Landis on US television shows on Monday.

- REUTERS