Home community backs beleaguered Landis

MURRIETA, California, Aug 5 (Reuters) There was no sign of Floyd Landis at his Murrieta home today but there was visible support for the beleaguered Tour de France champion in his local community.

Two banners draped over the entrance to his gated community home proclaimed: 'Welcome home 2006 champion Tour de France Floyd Landis'.

The same message was on a hoarding greeting visitors to the southern California town as they left the freeway and yellow T-shirts were on sale at Murrieta's bicycle shop bearing the words 'Congrats Floyd'.

Ernie Sanchez, president of a local cycling club and a friend to Landis for the last three years, ended his traditional this morning bike ride by speaking to reporters gathered outside the American rider's home.

''I'd like to support him at a time when I know he is down,'' Sanchez told Reuters after hearing Landis was likely to become the first Tour de France winner to lose his title because of a positive dope test.

Landis tested positive for excessive amounts of the male sex hormone testosterone after his victory in the 17th stage of the Tour on July 20 and a second drugs sample confirmed the result, the International Cycling Union (UCI) said on Saturday.

''They have yet to prove that Floyd was under the influence of a controlled substance. They tested him eight times and he came back with high testosterone once,'' Sanchez said.

''I think high testosterone is something so unique and something that people still don't understand. I don't even understand it.

''People are hearing he tested positive. But what drug? And if there is a drug, we sure would like to know what drug that is.'' Sanchez said Landis had been a loyal supporter of the Murrieta cycling club.

''He has a cycling camp here in January in the Temecula area and he invites people to ride with him from the community,'' he added.

''I've ridden with him a number of times but he's a very difficult guy to keep up with.

''He has donated items to our cycling races, he's lent himself for advice when people have become injured and he's even offered his personal masseuses and doctors to local cyclists in need of medical assistance.

''That's the kind of guy Floyd is. I think the community is confused, confused by the fact that positive is a big word but positive for what? That's what people are still trying to answer.'' REUTERS DH KP0246