Cycling: Phonak team disbanded after Landis scandal

Tour de France winner Floyd Landis' Phonak cycling team is to be disbanded following his positive doping test for testosterone.

Team owner Andy Rihs told a news conference on Tuesday that he deeply regretted the development, especially as he had always spoken out against doping.

"As a passionate cyclist, I am bitterly disappointed the sport of cycling apparently has become a synonym for doping. I truly regret this development and it has brought me to the decision of disbanding the Phonak team," said Rihs.

American Landis was sacked by the Swiss-based team after the second B sample tested positive for the male sex hormone earlier this month.

Team manager John Lelangue declined to speculate on the future of Landis, who has denied any wrongdoing and plans to fight a two-year ban from the sport's governing body, the International Cycling Union (UCI).

"What Landis does is up to him," said Lelangue.

Rihs said the team had tried to find other sponsors without success and would now be seeking alternative rides for Landis' colleagues. Phonak had already said before this year's Tour that it planned to withdraw from the sport.

Landis' spokesman Michael Henson said it was "unfortunate to see a longtime supporter of cycling end their relationship with the sport".

"Floyd regrets that the current situation has led Andy to the recent decision to disband the team," he said.

"He personally thanks Andy for his support during his time with Phonak and in clearing his own name, Floyd hopes to clear the Phonak name too."

Financial reasons and the uncertainty regarding the renewal of the ProTour licence that expires at the end of the year had prevented Phonak from finding a replacement sponsor, Rihs said.

"For this reason, today I see myself forced to do something I have never done in my whole life as a businessman. I have to give up," said Rihs.

"We will never enter a team in the Tour de France again," added Lelangue.

Rihs said he would remain a cycling fan and hoped one day to see a Tour de France winner from Switzerland.

Landis' positive test after the 17th stage of last month's Tour showed abnormal testosterone readings.

The hormone boosts strength and energy and aids recovery from strenuous exercise.

The American had produced one of the greatest solo rides in Tour history to win the stage, 24 hours after his challenge had looked to be over when he cracked on the final climb of the 16th stage and fell more than eight minutes behind the leader.

Phonak will continue to participate in all the races scheduled for the rest of 2006.

- REUTERS