The French anti-doping agency (AFLD) has announced a postponement of the Floyd Landis case, after Landis agreed to not race in the country during 2007. The move puts off a decision in the case until after the US proceedings take place - as long as that happens before the end of June.

While announcing the decision to postpone the hearings, AFLD head Phillippe Bordry told reporters: “He [Landis] understood perfectly that if he didn’t act today, we would start the procedure immediately. We will let Landis defend himself as he wishes before the USADA.”

With the American case to be heard starting on May 14, the move by the French agency puts some pressure on the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to bring the case to a conclusion before then. However, the arbitration panel is independent of USADA.

According to new agency articles yesterday, a final decision in the case had been expected. Landis' spokesman Michael Henson said in a news conference: “Our hopes are that they will stay the proceedings until after the USADA hearing.” Those hopes have apparently been realised.

A lawyer representing Landis at the hearing read a letter in which Landis said, in part: “In this case, and in order to avoid any misunderstanding, I agree to voluntarily not participate in any professional or amateur cycling event in France until December 31, 2007 - and in particular the Tour de France 2007.”

Henson told the Associated Press: “Floyd is pleased that the AFLD has agreed with his council’s request that they suspend this proceeding until the (USADA) hearing is held in May. Simultaneous proceedings in the US and in France risk the possibility of an inconsistent application of the rule. The AFLD’s willingness to hear this case in a serial rather than parallel manner is significant for the overall fairness.”

Had the proceedings in France started, Landis would be facing a two-year suspension from racing in the country. France has ratified the World Anti-Doping code, which in essence gives the agency government backing to apply its sanctions. A sanction from the AFLD would only apply to races in French territory, however. The United States has not yet ratified the World Anti-Doping code.

Landis may yet face the awkward situation of a ban in France, even if he wins in his US arbitration case, according to the AFLD’s Bordry. He told the Associated Press: “We are absolutely not tied to the USADA’s decision as France has ratified the world code, not the United States.”

Judging by what Bordry said, it’s easy to agree with the sentiment expressed at the web log Spinopsys, which observes: “It’s funny but looking back we should have seen that this has always been in the hands of the French - their race, their lab, their media, their rules, their sporting politics.”

However, after the upcoming hearings in the United States and France are resolved, only the UCI can strip Landis of his 2006 Tour de France victory. And the UCI will base its decision on the outcome of the US proceedings, along with the expected appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

In the end, the French agency has found a way of saving face, while preventing Landis from racing in this year’s Tour. Landis’ appearance in future tours now hinges on the decision taken by the US arbitrators, the CAS and the AFLD.

Bordry has clearly stated that the agency doesn’t feel bound by the decision of the USADA proceedings, which is not to say he and the AFLD couldn’t review the decision and determine that it conforms to how they would also decide the case. Meanwhile, Floyd Landis and his defence team prepare for the May hearings.

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