LAUSANNE, Switzerland — German cyclist Stefan Schumacher made his case Wednesday to overturn a two-year ban for doping at the 2008 Tour de France.

Schumacher gave evidence to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in his appeal against a suspension imposed by the International Cycling Union.

A verdict is expected later this year.

Schumacher won two time trial stages at last year's Tour and led the race for two days. Two months later, the French anti-doping authority used a new test to find traces of the banned hormone CERA in Schumacher's blood samples taken before and during the race.

The French authority AFLD banned Schumacher from racing in France for two years, and the UCI later extended the ban worldwide until January 2011.

Schumacher has denied doping. But he was dropped by his new team, Quick Step, before the 2009 season.

He also is waiting for a ruling in a second disciplinary case involving a positive test for CERA, the latest version of the endurance-boosting drug EPO.

The International Olympic Committee said it found the banned substance in a blood sample taken from Schumacher at the Beijing Games.

A verdict in that case is expected when the IOC's executive board meets next month.