Floyd Landis?s hearing before the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD), which was scheduled to take place on February 8, has been postponed at Landis?s request. In a letter that his lawyer read to the French body, the American requested that his hearing be postponed until after his examination before the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on May 14, 2007. In return, Landis promised not to compete in any French race in 2007. The AFLD complied with Landis?s request.

Landis?s promise will be an easy one to keep. The American, who will be the first Tour de France winner to be disqualified if the AFLD rules against him, underwent hip replacement surgery on September 27, 2006. In a recent interview, Landis said that he has ridden only about 800 miles since the end of the 2006 Tour de France. He added that he spends as much time and energy on his legal difficulties as he did winning the Tour and that he did not expect to race in 2007. If the AFLD rules against him, Landis will be suspended for two years.

In related news, the French newspaper L?Equipe has reported that Landis has refused to allow the USADA to test his remaining B samples from last year?s Tour for exogenous testosterone. The body has requested permission from Landis to test the samples in preparation for his May 2007 hearing.

For the latest news on Floyd Landis and on the exploits of other cyclists, check in at www.roadcycling.com.