FIM: Iannone decision 'very soon'

FIM president Jorge Viegas says he expects the International Disciplinary Court to deliver its decision on the positive doping test by MotoGP star Andrea Iannone 'very soon'.

Iannone has been suspended since December 17, when it was announced that a urine sample at the Malaysian MotoGP on November 3 had tested positive for an anabolic steroid, nandrolone.

The Italian duly requested analysis of his 'B sample' from the same event, which confirmed the result of the A sample.

A hearing of the International Disciplinary Court then took place at the FIM Headquarters on February 4. However, no judgement has yet been issued.

It is thought that Iannone's legal team presented their own analysis of a hair sample at the Hearing, which apparently contradicted the results of the urine tests.

"The FIM president has nothing to do with the trial," Viegas told Swiss publication La Tribune de Genève and 24 Heures.

"It has been examined by the lawyers for the two parties, who have sent the various documents they deemed necessary and a committee of three judges, all very experienced, who will very soon give its decision."

But that is unlikely to be the end of the issue, with both sides having the option to appeal.

"Afterwards, there will be the possibility of an appeal to the CAS [Court of Arbitration for Sport], both on the part of Iannone and his employer, Aprilia, if the sanction is considered too severe; or on the part of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) if it considers that the sanction is not sufficient," Viegas confirmed.

Iannone has so far missed both pre-season tests, at Sepang and Losail.

However, the coronavirus disruption to the MotoGP calendar means the first premier-class race of 2020 has been delayed until May 3 at Jerez, exactly six months from Iannone's positive test at Sepang (the date from which any punishment is likely to start).

Meanwhile, Viegas is hoping to work with WADA to produce a more motorcycle-specific list of prohibited products.

"With us, skill, psyche and courage are more important than brute physical strength. Not to mention the problem of painkillers," he said.

"I plan to meet the new president of WADA, Witold Banka, to see if it would be possible to have a list more suited to our sport."