Lausanne, Switzerland  - Italian cyclist Riccardo Ricco has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against a two-year ban imposed on him for doping by the Anti-doping Tribunal of the National Olympic Committee of Italy (CONI) last month.

Ricco tested positive for the blood-booster CERA (Continuous Erythropietin Receptor Activator), described as third-generation EPO, after the fourth stage of the race, on July 8.

However, the 25-year-old admitted to EPO doping three days after the positive result and decided against calling for his B-sample to be tested.

The Italian, who won two stages at the Tour, was immediately sacked by his Saunier Duval team and the company subsequently ceased its involvement in cycling.

"The athlete requests the reduction of the suspension on the basis of his collaboration with the competent authorities in this matter," said CAS in a statement Monday.

"The directions with respect to the arbitration procedure will be issued later on by the Tribunal in accordance with the Code of Sports-related Arbitration. As a general rule, CAS delivers its decisions within four months from the filing of the appeal." (dpa)