Riis's name back on winners' list

BREST, France (Reuters) - Organizers have re-instated Dane Bjarne Riis as the 1996 Tour de France winner one year after erasing his name from the winners' list.

Riis had been withdrawn from the Tour's roll of honor after he admitted to using banned substances during his victorious ride 12 years ago.

"We can't erase history. It is not us but the International Cycling Union (UCI) who ratify the winners' list," ASO chief press officer Philippe Sudres told Reuters on Friday.

Riis admitted to doping in May 2007 and was removed from the winners by ASO. However, the offence exceeded a 10-year prescription according to the World Anti-Doping Agency's rules which are applied by the UCI.

The Dane, a former T-Mobile rider, is now the CSC team manager and is back on the Tour after missing it last year following his confession.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot, editing by Trevor Huggins)