Iannone: Suspension a surprise, confident of “positive conclusion”
Andrea Iannone has responded to his FIM provisional suspension for failing a drugs test by explaining he’s had no communication with officials and remains confident of overturning the decision.
Earlier today the FIM announced Iannone has been suspended from racing after a urine sample taken during this year’s Malaysian MotoGP was found to include a non-specified substance prohibited within the governing bodies’ rules by a World Anti-Doping Authority-accredited laboratory in Germany.
Andrea Iannone has responded to his FIM provisional suspension for failing a drugs test by explaining he’s had no communication with officials and remains confident of overturning the decision.
Earlier today the FIM announced Iannone has been suspended from racing after a urine sample taken during this year’s Malaysian MotoGP was found to include a non-specified substance prohibited within the governing bodies’ rules by a World Anti-Doping Authority-accredited laboratory in Germany.
As a result, Iannone has been banned from any racing activities until an official investigation or appeal has taken place.
Iannone, who is contracted with Aprilia for the 2020 MotoGP season, has taken to social media to refute the decision and says he hasn’t received any formal communication from the FIM about the suspension.
“I’m totally relaxed and I want to reassure my fans and Aprilia Racing,” Iannone wrote on his Instagram account.
“I am open to any counter analysis in a matter that surprises me, also because - at the moment - I have not received any official communication.
“Over the years, and also this season, I have undergone continuous checks, obviously always proving to be negative, which is why I have every confidence in the positive conclusion of this affair.”
If Iannone fights against the provisional suspension he has the right to request and attend an analysis of his B sample taken at the same time from Sepang and provide an explanation and defence of his case.
Iannone’s failed sample included a non-specified substance under Section 1.1.a Exogenous Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) of the 2019 FIM Prohibited List.
If Iannone is found guilty he could face a maximum of a four-year ban which would effectively mean the end of his Grand Prix racing career.
Iannone’s future at Aprilia remains uncertain, while the Italian manufacturer could call on test rider Bradley Smith as stand-in or permanent replacement for the 30-year-old. The Noale-based factory is yet to comment on the situation.
The former MotoGP race-winner secured the team’s best results in 2019 with sixth place at the Australian MotoGP, a week before the Malaysian race, and finished the season in 16th place in the riders’ world championship.
