Bird banned from rallying for eight years

Paul Bird, owner of Paul Bird Motorsport, has been suspended for eight years following a second anti-doping violation.

The United Kingdom Anti-Doping authorities (UKAD) have confirmed Bird will be banned from “all sport” for eight years after failing to submit an in-competition sample at Rallynuts Stages (Seven Valley Stages) Rally at the Royal Welsh Showground in Builth Wells last April.

The report states Bird refused to provide a sample at the venue despite being warned about a potential sanction from UKAD. Bird was charged with an anti-doping violation with his case taken to the National Anti-Doping Panel for a hearing.

Bird, who was previously banned for two years for testing positive for a metabolite of cocaine and furosemide in an in-competition test in July 2015, will now serve an eight-year ban which will end on July 10 2026.

Bird has been disqualified from all rallying activities for this period but it is not expected to impact PBM’s participation in the Bennetts British Superbike championship.

“It is clear in the Anti-Doping Rules that refusing to provide a sample will be treated as seriously as a failed test,” Nicole Sapstead, UKAD’s chief executive, said. “Mr Bird was aware of this, having been warned of the consequences by Doping Control Personnel at the time.

“UKAD will always aim to secure the strongest possible sanctions for those who do not adhere to anti-doping procedures; treating the concept of clean sport with complete contempt.”

Bird’s team competed in MotoGP between 2012-2014, while his squad has also raced in the World Superbike championship and in Road Racing.