Chances that Andrea Iannone will take part of the first MotoGP season tests in Sepang are really low but there is still a little possibility that the Italian could have a chance. Aprilia rider during the winter has been found positive for an anabolic steroid from a sample taken during Malaysian Grand Prix, but the Italian claims he ingested it due to contaminated food. For the moment Iannone has been temporarily suspended from his racing activity and his whole career could be even over if things will not go in the right way.

First official pre-season test begins on 6^th February in Sepang and Andrea Iannone hopes to take part of that but probably he will miss that; FIM’s International Disciplinary Court set a date for Iannone’s appeal hearing for 4^th February in Switzerland, with the Italian who will have time until 31th January to prepare a list of witnesses.

We will have a verdict in 45 days, even if Aprilia and Iannone hope that the Court will express what they have to say even before, but it does not seem to be a short journey and this is why Andrea Iannone will probably miss Sepang’s tests. For that reason, Aprilia will have on his side Aleix Espargaro and Bradley Smith, Aprilia test rider, with the Briton who is even accredited to be Iannone’s substitute if the Italian could not take part to the first race of the season as well. Aprilia will bring also Lorenzo Savadori with an old bike to help the Italian to familiarize with the RS-GP.