MotoGP | Andrea Iannone will not take part in Sepang’s Test
Andrea Iannone to miss Sepang MotoGP pre-season test as long as his antidoping case remains ongoing, but it does not seem to be a bad news for the Italian
Andrea Iannone hoped to take part at Sepang’s Tests but the Italian has to wait again as long as his antidoping case remains ongoing. Apparently it sounds as a negative news for him, but it is not because maybe Aprilia rider could race again in Qatar for the first race of the season, or even for Qatar’s Tests. On 4th February a hearing was called at the FIM Disciplinary Court in Switzerland for his case but we still do not have a definitive sentence.
Iannone’s lawyers submitted a hair sample tested by an anti-doping laboratory in Turin that demonstrates the completely absence of steroid found in his other samples taken during FIM anti-doping in competition test. The decision was delayed from the International Disciplinary Court, but the provisional suspension from racing has been upheld, which means Andrea Iannone will miss Sepang MotoGP pre-season test.
Aprilia will have so once again Bradley Smith in Sepang alongside Aleix Espargaro, but we still do not know if Lorenzo Savadori will ride as done in the three days of shakedown where former World Superbike rider tried to get confidence with the bike. The final decision about Iannone’s case will be expected on February 14th, that is why Andrea could even back on track from Qatar MotoGP test already on February 22nd-24th.
This is the latest FIM Anti-Doping Statement – February 4th 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.”
