Landis undergoes successful hip surgery

WASHINGTON, Sep 29 (Reuters) Tour de France winner Floyd Landis has undergone successful surgery to repair his injured right hip, his spokesman said.

The two-hour procedure was performed on Wednesday in San Diego, Calif., by Dr. David Chao, who had operated twice before on Landis's hip.

Landis returned home yesterday and will immediately begin a six weeks of physical therapy to strengthen the hip and increase its range of movement, spokesman Michael Henson said.

Landis should be able to begin low intensity training on his bicycle in one to two weeks.

The surgery revealed greater damage to the hip than initially believed, but was performed successfully and without complications.

Landis broke his hip in 2003 during a crash while training near his home in Murietta, Calif.

The 30-year-old tested positive for the male sex hormone testosterone following his Tour victory in July but has steadfastly denied using performance-enhancing drugs.

REUTERS PDS RN0929