BERLIN - German cyclist Stefan Schumacher has appealed against a two-year worldwide ban after failing a doping test at last year's Tour de France, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said yesterday.

"He has filed an appeal," said an official at CAS, world sport's top court. "His appeal is dated April 1."

Schumacher was suspended from all cycling for two years in March by the International Cycling Union (UCI) after failing a drugs test during the 2008 Tour de France.

Schumacher, who won two time trials and wore the overall leader's yellow jersey for two days, has denied any wrongdoing.

The 27-year-old claimed the ban had been made without any negotiations and without him being able to give his testimony.

Former Gerolsteiner rider Schumacher tested positive for Cera (Continuous Erythropoiesis Receptor Activator), the new generation of banned blood-booster erythropoietin (EPO).

He was banned from competing in France for two years by the French Anti-Doping agency in February. - Reuters