Pereiro expects long wait before collecting Tour title

MADRID, Aug 5 (Reuters) Spanish rider Oscar today Pereiro said there was still a long way to go before he knew whether he will be proclaimed winner of this year's Tour de France.

Race victor Floyd Landis of the United States is likely to lose the title after the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced today a second drugs sample had confirmed a positive test for excessive amounts of the male sex hormone testosterone.

''Today is another step forward but I don't know what the UCI's decision is yet, or what Floyd's defence is going to be,'' Pereiro told Spanish state television.

''Much though we would like it I am not yet the winner of the Tour and I imagine it will be another couple of months before I know.'' Pereiro, who finished 57 seconds behind Landis in the overall standings, would become the first Spaniard to win the Tour since Miguel Indurain's last victory in 1995.

He is due to give a news conference in Vigo at 1600 GMT.

REUTERS AY RK2008