Landis’ fate up to arbitrators

Arbitrators in the Floyd Landis doping hearing met for the final time this week and declared the hearing officially closed, meaning a decision on the 2006 Tour de France winner’s fate must come in by Sept. 22.

Landis testified in May as part of a two-week public arbitration hearing to determine whether his positive doping test from last year’s Tour should be upheld. He tested positive for synthetic testosterone after Stage 17 of the race.

Over the past three months, arbitrators have been sorting through the evidence and collecting additional information from the parties. They met Wednesday and are writing their final decision.

Landis, who has denied using performance-enhancing drugs, would face a two-year ban from cycling and the loss of his Tour title if he loses the case.

The losing side has the option to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.