January 7 for Iannone 'B sample' verdict?

Andrea Iannone's MotoGP future could become clearer on January 7.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that is the likely date when the results of the Italian's B sample will be known.

Earlier this week the FIM announced that Iannone, who delighted the factory Aprilia team by leading at the Australian Grand Prix, failed an anti-doping test at the following Malaysian round on November 3 and has been 'provisionally suspended' from motorcycle competition.

A "surprised" Iannone responded in a social media post, saying he had "every confidence in the positive conclusion of this affair."

The FIM statement added that Iannone has the right to request the analysis of his B sample and that will indeed be the next step for the #29.

Gazzetta also reports that the substance allegedly found during Iannone's A sample urine check was drostanolone.

The Italian paper labels this as a bodybuilding drug and 'counterproductive' in MotoGP, where riders are constantly battling to stay as lean as possible to limit their weight.

There has also been speculation that Iannone may have fallen foul of the anti-doping rules due to medication for a shoulder injury that forced him to withdraw from the Misano round, in September. 

Either way, Iannone's attendance at the opening 2020 MotoGP test at Sepang in February looks to be dependent on the B sample proving negative...

FIM - statement:

'Rider Andrea Iannone provisionally suspended

'The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has advised Italian Grand Prix rider Andrea Iannone that he is provisionally suspended pursuant to Article 7.9.1 of the 2019 FIM Anti-doping Code (CAD). The decision to provisionally suspend Mr Andrea Iannone was mandatory following the receipt of a report from the WADA accredited laboratory in Kreischa b. Dresden (Germany) indicating an Adverse Analytical Finding of a non-specified substance under Section 1.1.a) Exogenous Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) of the 2019 Prohibited List, in a urine sample collected from him at an in-competition test carried out by the FIM at the round of the FIM Grand Prix World Championship held in Sepang, Malaysia on 3 November 2019.

'Mr Andrea Iannone has the right to request and attend the analysis of his B sample.

'Mr Andrea Iannone is provisionally suspended with effect from 17 December 2019. He is therefore barred from participating in any motorcycling competition or activity until further notice. Under Article 7.9.3.2 CAD, Mr Iannone may request lifting of his provisional suspension.

'Under the World Anti-Doping Code and the FIM Anti-Doping Code, the FIM is unable to provide any additional information at this time.'

Andrea Iannone - Instagram:

"I'm totally relaxed and I want to reassure my fans and Aprilia Racing. I am open to any counter analysis in a matter that surprises me, also because - at the moment - I have not received any official communication. Over the years, and also this season, I have undergone continuous checks, obviously always proving to be negative, which is why I have every confidence in the positive conclusion of this affair."