Landis charged by USADA

Tour de France winner Floyd Landis has been charged with a doping offence by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) which he will contest, his attorney said.

Landis tested positive for the male sex hormone testosterone following a decisive stage of this year's Tour de France. He was notified in the past few days of the USADA charges, attorney Howard Jacobs told Reuters.

Landis, 30, will request that a hearing by the American Arbitration Association is open to the public as he contests potential sanctions.

Landis has repeatedly denied taking performance-enhancing drugs. He could face a two-year ban if the charges are upheld and could also be stripped of his Tour de France title.

USADA filed charges against Landis after a review board recommended that the anti-doping agency should move forward in the disciplinary process related to Landis's drugs test of July 20.

Jacobs had asked the review board to dismiss doping charges against Landis, claiming that the tests conducted on the athlete's 'A' and 'B' urine sample from stage 17 of the Tour do not meet the WADA criteria for a positive doping offence.

While awaiting a hearing on the charges, Landis will undergo planned hip replacement surgery this week.