PARIS, March 6, 2009 (AFP) – German cyclist Stefan Schumacher was on Friday banned from racing anywhere in the world by the sport’s governing body, the UCI.

Last month Schumacher was suspended by French anti-doping agency AFLD from racing in France for failing a Tour de France dope test in 2008, but that punishment has now been extended beyond France’s borders.

The 27-year-old, sacked from the now defunct Gerolsteiner team, tested positive for banned blood booster EPO Cera.

Schumacher, who won two stages on last year’s Tour de France, has said he plans to fight the ban.