I just read on VeloNews that the French paper Le Monde broke the news today that 2006 Tour de France runner-up, and potential winner should Floyd Landis be stripped of his title for alleged testosterone doping, Oscar Pereiro, had “twice tested positive for the banned substance salbutamol during the race.”

This leaves only four more riders to discredit before Cyril Dessel can be the first Frenchman to win the Tour de France since Bernard Hinault did it in 1985. If Dessel used drugs, too, then there is the fan favorite Moreau next in line.

2006 Tour de France Top Ten Finishers

1. Floyd Landis (USA), Phonak, 3657.1km in 89:39:30 (40.784kph)
2. Oscar Pereiro Sio (Sp), Caisse d’Epargne-I.B., 00:57
3. Andréas Klöden (G), T-Mobile, 01:29
4. Carlos Sastre (Sp), CSC, 03:13
5. Cadel Evans (Aus), Davitamon-Lotto, 05:08
6. Denis Menchov (Rus), Rabobank, 07:06
7. Cyril Dessel (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 08:41
8. Christophe Moreau (F), Ag2r Prevoyance, 09:37
9. Haimar Zubeldia (Sp), Euskaltel-Euskadi, 12:05
10. Michael Rogers (Aus), T-Mobile, 15:07