Disgraced cyclist Floyd Landis rides in Cascade Cycling Classic event in Oregon

Landis rides through the Cascade Cycling Classic

BEND, Ore. — Disgraced cyclist Floyd Landis is racing this week in central Oregon, far removed from the Tour de France and the victory that has come to symbolize a tainted era for the sport.

Landis rode Saturday night in the fourth stage of the Cascade Cycling Classic through downtown Bend, where he was met by a smattering of cheers and boos by some of the 10,000 spectators. The appearance came a day after ABC’s Nightline ran a report in which Landis again accused seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong of using performance-enhancing drugs.

Armstrong, who is currently riding in his final Tour, has repeatedly denied doping.

Landis was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France title for doping and admitted this spring used drugs to gain a competitive edge. The admission spurred a federal investigation of possible fraud and doping charges against Armstrong and his associates.

Landis, 34, is riding for the second straight year in the Cascade Classic, which organizers say is the longest consecutive-run elite cycling race in the country. Saturday night’s event was the popular Twilight Criterium, a 75-minute loop through the high desert town’s center.

Landis would not comment after finishing in the back.

“Nah, not right now,” he said. “Maybe tomorrow if I feel better.”

The race wraps up on Sunday.

After the criterium, fan Bill Stacy shook Landis’ hand and wished him luck. Stacy said he was initially angry when Landis finally came out and admitted he cheated.

“But as it unfolded I still have to admire him a little bit for just trying to do the right thing — and suffering a little bit for it, for sure. I just wanted to give him a little token of support, I guess.”

Others were not so charitable.

“I guess I don’t understand his need to bring everyone else down with him,” Tim Francis said while watching the cyclists whirl past.

Earlier this week Landis spoke briefly to the Bend Bulletin newspaper about both coming clean and airing the new allegations against Armstrong that touched off the federal probe.

“It was about doing what was right,” Landis told the newspaper. “It was about doing what allowed me to live my life OK with me. So whatever the reaction is, I hope it’s good. I hope people want to know the truth, but that wasn’t really my main concern.”

While he still maintains he did not use synthetic testosterone, even though he tested for high levels of testosterone following his Tour victory, Landis admits to using other performance enhancing drugs and blood doping.

Armstrong, meanwhile, wraps up his final Tour de France on Sunday. A cancer survivor, he has said he wants to devote more time to his family and to his Livestrong foundation to benefit cancer research.

Alberto Contador has already all but sewn up a victory in cycling’s premier race.

Landis served as a support rider for Armstrong from 2002-04, before leaving for Swiss team Phonak and winning the 2006 Tour. He was later stripped of his title for doping and fought the charges until May, when he finally admitted to using drugs throughout his career and implicated Armstrong in organized doping.