Schu returns to Superbike saddle

Nearly 100 days after a major fall at a test circuit, Michael Schumacher on Tuesday returned to the saddle of a racing motorcycle.

The former seven time world champion, believed to have sustained severe concussion, neck damage and broken ribs in the February fall, booked the Nurburgring's F1 layout for a private session to reacquaint with his Honda Superbike.

Schumacher, 40, intended to contest the German Superbike/IDM round at the Nurburgring late this month, but on the basis of Tuesday's test called off his race return.

"I still don't feel 100 per cent fit to race. There is a big difference between some testing laps and 20 laps at full pace while duelling," he said.

Trackside at the Nurburgring was the German's wife, Corinna. "She would prefer if I gave up and instead rode horses," Schumacher is quoted as saying by Bild newspaper.