Image: Russell Colvin.

Italian Andrea Iannone has been suspended for 18 months by the FIM after failing an anti-doping test conducted in Malaysia last November.

The Aprilia rider’s period of ineligibility will span between 17 December 2019 when he was provisionally suspended to 16 June 2021.

Iannone tested positive for Drostanolone metabolite 2α-methyl-5α-androstane-3α-ol-17-one, a WADA prohibited substance under heading ‘S1. Anabolic Agents, 1. Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS), a. Exogenous AAS’ of the FIM
Anti-doping Code.

In addition, Iannone was disqualified from rounds 18 and 19 of the 2019 MotoGP World Championship at Sepang and Valencia. An appeal against the CDI decision may be lodged before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days.