Paris (AFP)
Andrea Iannone has been provisionally suspended by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) after receiving an analysis report revealing the presence of a steroid in the urine of the Italian MotoGP rider from the Aprilia stable, announced the FIM on Tuesday in a press release.
The analysis report of sample A of the sample, transmitted by a Dresden laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), carried out at the Sepang Grand Prix on November 3, revealed the presence of an anabolic steroid, unspecified of its nature, appearing on the list of prohibited products.
The suspension takes effect on December 17 and "prohibits him from participating in a motorcycle race until further notice," the statement said.
Iannone, 30, has the possibility of appealing and requesting a second opinion from sample B.
"I am very calm, and I want to reassure my fans and my Aprilia Racing team. I am open to any second opinion," said the Italian driver on Instagram.
"For years, just like this season, I have had regular tests, which have all turned out to be negative, of course, which is why I am sure this case will have a positive outcome," said the official pilot of the Aprilia stable.
Iannone is among the 22 riders entered in the next MotoGP season. He finished the 2019 championship in 16th place with 43 points scored, far from the 420 pts of world champion Marc Marquez.
The Italian rider is known both for some brilliant shots on the track, especially when he was a member of the official Ducati team during the 2015 and 2016 world championships alongside Andrea Dovizioso, as well as for his attendance outside the circuits of personalities of the gotha.
© 2019 AFP