New Delhi: Floyd Landis has begun his defence to the doping charges levelled against him after he won the Tour de France last year.
High levels of Testosterone were found in the sample of the 32-year-old cyclist which he had given after the 17th stage of the Tour.
However, Landis' lawyer Maurice Suh said tests on the urine sample were not conducted properly by a laboratory in Paris which had failed to adhere to 'the international standards for laboratories'.
On the other hand Richard Young, who is representing attorney for US Anti Doping Agency, defended the Paris laboratory, saying the tests results are backed by evidence.
Landis has insisted on turning his arbitration hearing into a public process, to expose what he says are the fraudulent ways of the USADA.
The hearing will last through to next Wednesday with dozens of experts; including scientists from the French lab that conducted the tests are scheduled to testify.
A three-man panel of arbitrators will decide Landis' fate and he could become the first cyclist in the 104-year history of the Tour de France to be stripped of the title.
They will also determine whether Landis injected himself with the male hormone testosterone.
He could also be given a two-year suspension if the charges are proved.
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