Cycling: Landis Steers Clear of This Year's Tour

Last year's Tour de France winner Floyd Landis has confirmed that he will not take part in this year's race.

The French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) revealed that it had postponed its disciplinary hearing into Landis, due to begin today - with the American, in return, promising not to take part in any race in France until 2008.

"Mr Landis has asked the AFLD, in a letter read by his lawyer during the hearing, to have the possibility to first defend himself in front of the American disciplinary body, the US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada)," read an AFLD statement. "He says in this very letter that he promises not to take part in any race in France until the end of 2007, in particular in the 2007 Tour de France. The AFLD subsequently decided to postpone the examination of his case to a date that will be set according to the course of the procedure before the US Anti-Doping Agency."

Landis, who tested positive for testosterone during last year's Tour, has also been charged with a doping offence by Usada and will have a separate hearing on May 14. He faces a possible two-year suspension from cycling and the prospect of becoming the first Tour winner to be stripped of his title.

The 31-year-old has denied any wrongdoing.