QMMF rider Anthony West has received a one month ban for doping.
The Australian who scored a second place podium in last weekend’s Moto2 race at Phillip Island, was found positive for the use of methylhexaneamine after the Le Mans round last May.
West had now been stripped of his 7th place result obtained in the race and will also have to miss the final Moto2 round of the season at Valencia, unless he appeals with International Tribunal of Appeal (TIA) within 5 days from the notification of the decision.
Methylhexaneamine is considered a stimulant on the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) Prohibited List, but it is often contained in nasal decongestants (imagine having a very runny nose when you’re racing) but it is also used as a dietary supplement to lose weight and/or control weight.
Taller and heavier riders have been forced to lose weight in recent years to help them cope with smaller machines and relative fuel consumption issues against the wave of featherweight riders coming through the ranks.
As part of their Ride Clean Campaign, FIM stepped up their anti-doping controls back in 2010 with riders subject to random testing if they were not part of the ADAMS program, and they also held anti-doping fact meetings for both the MotoGP and World Superbike paddocks last season.
FIM press release after the jump.
FIM Anti-doping controlsDecision of the FIM International Disciplinary Court (CDI)In the matter of Anthony West (AUS) – 29 October 2012Following FIM anti-doping controls carried out during the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix meeting held in Le Mans (FRA), one of the samples was found not in accordance with the FIM Anti-Doping Code.
The sample of Australian Moto2 class rider Anthony West contained Methylhexaneamine, a substance included in ‘S.
6b Specified Stimulants’ prohibited in competition, and thereby infringed Art 2.
1 of the 2012 FIM Anti-Doping Code.
Following the hearing of the rider, the CDI decided to disqualify Anthony West from the French round of the 2012 FIM Moto2 World Championship, held on 20 May in Le Mans.
In addition, the CDI imposes on the rider a sanction of one month’s period of ineligibility to compete in any meeting authorised or organised by the FIM or any FIM-affiliated federation or body or in any competitions authorised or organised by any international or national level meeting organisation, from 30 October 2012.
An appeal may be lodged with the International Tribunal of Appeal (TIA) within 5 day as from the notification of the decision.