INVERCARGILL, New Zealand (AP) — Disgraced cyclist Floyd Landis was in fourth place after the first day of the Tour of Southland on Monday.
Landis’ Orca Velo Merino team finished well back in the tour-opening 5.3-mile team time trial, but the American was more at home in the afternoon’s hilly 51-mile second stage Monday.
He raced prominently on the leg between Invercargill and the port of Bluff, finishing in fourth, 1 minute, 2 seconds behind stage winner Jeremy Yates of New Zealand.
Landis won the 2006 Tour de France but was later disqualified when doping tests showed an abnormally high level of testosterone. He admitted his drug use earlier this year and has since become an outspoken critic of doping in sport.
Yates wore the tour-leader’s yellow jersey at the end of the first day, leading compatriots Jack Bauer and Olympic silver medalist Hayden Roulston.
