It was on this day in 2006 that the final stage for the Tour de France took place.  Floyd Landis was initially declared the winner, but after a failed drug test, he was stripped of the yellow jersey.

Oscar Pereiro of Spain was named the 2006 Tour de France champion, as he finished second to Landis.  A urine sample was taken from Landis immediately following his stage 17 win.  The urine was tested twice and both times came back positive for the banned synthetic testosterone.  This marked the first time since 1904 that a Tour de France winner was disqualified and stripped of the title.

After years of denying that he cheated, it was reported in May of 2010 that Landis sent a series of e-mails to anti-doping officials in which he admitted to doping from 2002 through to his 2006 Tour de France victory.  Landis has denied using synthetic testosterone, but admits to taking human growth hormone (HGH).

Here are highlights from the 2006 Tour de France

Notable Birthdays

Nomar Garciaparra, MLB – Born July 23, 1973 (age 39) in Whittier, California

Gerald Wallace, NBA – Born July 23, 1982 (age 30) in Sylacauga, Alabama

Brandon Roy, NBA – Born July 23, 1984 (age 28) in Seattle, Washington