Landis decision expected this month

A decision in the case of Floyd Landis is expected by the end of September according to a memorandum received by ESPN.com. The memo, which originated from the chairperson of the arbitration committee, was sent to key parties involved in the case. It stated that the arbitrators intended to close the hearing after a final meeting with their own scientific expert, Dr. Fracesco Botre on September 12. Dr. Botre is a direct of a WADA-accredited lab in Rome who attended the hearing, held in May.

The panel has ten days to make a decision after the hearing is officially closed. The memo stated, "The panel remains acutely mindful of the timing issues in connection with this case; however, the Panel also needs to verify an important volume of technical information, which is at the very core of this arbitration," which seemed to indicate that the technical complexity of the case was causing the delay in a decision.

Landis tested positive for synthetic testosterone in Stage 17 of the 2006 Tour de France. The aribration panel's decision may influence whether Landis gets to keep his title, but the final outcome may not be ultimately known for some time. Both sides will have the option to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The May hearing produced a transcript of roughly 1,800 pages with a majority of testimony spent arguing over the fairness and accuracy of procedures related to the anti-doping case.

In the meantime, Landis continues to participate in endurance mountain bike events and to make public fund-raising appearances. He will race the Shenandoah Mountain 100, a 100 mile mountain bike race, Sunday. Then next Saturday, September 8, he will lead the Univest Cyclosportif 100km recreational ride in Souderton, Pennsylvania, to raise money for the Indian Creek Foundation.