Landis officially stripped of title, Pereiro champion

PARIS, Sept 21 (Reuters) Floyd Landis has been officially stripped of his 2006 Tour de France title after being found guilty of doping, a cycling source told Reuters today.

As a result, Spaniard Oscar Pereiro, who finished second to the American in the overall standings, has been named the new 2006 Tour de France champion, added the source, who declined to be named.

Landis, 31, has been found guilty of doping by a U.S. panel of judges yesterday following a positive test for the banned male sex hormone testosterone during his victorious ride on the French roads in July 2006.

''A letter is being sent to the riders, the Tour de France organisers and the French federation,'' the source said.

REUTERS PDS RK2021