7 Mar 2009

Schumacher banned two years for doping

4:50 pm on 7 March 2009

German Stefan Schumacher has been suspended for two years from all cycling by the International Cycling Union after failing a dope test during the 2008 Tour de France.

Schumacher, who won the 2008 Tour's two time trials and wore the overall leader's yellow jersey for two days, was banned from competing in France for two years by the French Anti-Doping agency last month.

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

The 27-year-old 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.