Iannone anti-doping case continues, misses Sepang test

Andrea Iannone will miss the Sepang MotoGP pre-season test as he continues to fight his anti-doping case.

The Italian rider had been provisionally suspended from all MotoGP activities by the FIM after he failed an anti-doping test at last year’s Malaysian Grand Prix having tested positive for an ‘Exogenous Anabolic Androgenic Steroid’ called Drostanolone.

After also having his B-sample give a positive result, a hearing was called at the FIM Disciplinary Court in Switzerland (February 4).

Before the hearing Iannone’s lawyers suggested the small amount of banned substance present points towards accidental consumption via contaminated meat in Asia.

They also argued that use of a drug usually associated with body building makes little sense for a motorcycle racer trying to keep weight down, rather than ‘bulk up’.

According to GPOne.com, Iannone’s lawyers have also submitted a hair sample which has been tested by an anti-doping laboratory in Turin that demonstrates no trace of the steroid found in his other samples taken during the FIM anti-doping in-competition test.

The evidence has delayed a decision from the International Disciplinary Court (CDI), expected to last 10 days, but Iannone’s provisional suspension “from participating in any motorcycling competition or related activity until further notice” has been upheld. It means Iannone must sit out the Sepang test.

Since Iannone’s suspension, test rider Bradley Smith has been filling in at Aprilia for the Sepang shakedown with Lorenzo Savadori called up as additional cover.

With Iannone out of action for at least the Sepang test (February 7-9), it is believed the British rider will step up as race rider for Aprilia with Savadori taking up Smith’s testing duties.

Due to the 10-day delay on Iannone’s case, a final decision will be expected on February 14. The Qatar MotoGP test takes place on February 22-24.

The latest FIM Anti-Doping statement – February 4 2020

“Following a routine In-Competition doping test conducted at the round of the FIM Grand Prix World Championship held in Sepang, Malaysia on 3 November 2019, Mr Andrea Iannone tested positive for a WADA prohibited substance and is now provisionally suspended since 17 December 2019.

“Mr Andrea Iannone requested analysis of his B sample which also confirmed the result of the A sample analysis.

“The hearing of the International Disciplinary Court (CDI) took place today at the FIM Headquarters in the presence of a panel of three judges of the CDI where Mr Iannone had the opportunity to present his case.

“The proceeding is still ongoing until a CDI decision is rendered. Mr Andrea Iannone remains provisionally suspended until then and is therefore barred from participating in any motorcycling competition or related activity until further notice.

“Under the World Anti-Doping Code and the FIM Anti-Doping Code, the FIM is unable to provide any additional information at this time.”