Banned cyclist launches appeal

Vandenbroucke maintains his innocence

Belgian cyclist Frank Vandenbroucke is to launch an appeal against his six-month drugs ban at the Sports Arbitration Tribunal (TAS) in Lausanne in Switzerland.

The ban was handed down by the country's cycling federation after a police raid in February on the 27-year-old's home.

Officers discovered banned substances such as blood-boosting EPO, anabolid steroid clenbuterol and morphine.

That raid came a day after his French physiotherapist Bernard Sainz was also charged with possession of illegal substances.

A large quantity of amphetamines and syringes were found in the boot of Sainz's car.

On 21 March, the Belgian federation suspended Vandenbroucke for six months and fined him 6,950 euros (£4,250).