Schumacher appeals ban

"He has filed an appeal," an official at the Court of Arbitration for Sport told Reuters. "His appeal is dated April 1."

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

Schumacher, who won the two time trials during that race 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, the new generation of banned blood-booster EPO.

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

Schumacher had reached an agreement to join the Quick Step team this season but the Belgian outfit declared the deal void when the positive test was announced in September.