American cyclist Floyd Landis will compete in next month's Tour of Southland in New Zealand.

Landis won the 2006 Tour de France only to be stripped of his title and banned for two years after he returned elevated levels of testosterone.

Despite challenging the findings, his suspension was upheld and he only returned to racing at the start of this year.

Tour of Southland race director Bruce Ross defended the American's inclusion in the race.

"I'll be treating his entry like every other entry," Ross told the Southland Times.

"I realise there's a background. He's served his time. He's another entry in the Tour of Southland - a very exciting one. It's great that he wants to come here."

Landis will ride for the cycling-nzshop.com-bioSport team on the six-day, nine-stage tour which begins on November 2 in Invercargill.

Ross is predicting a record field of at least 130 riders when entries close on Monday, including Tour de France rider Hayden Roulston and former Tour of Southland winner Gordon McCauley.

"The calibre of the field is very high," he added.