Anthony West doping ruling - finally

On November 28, the FIM released the results of the penalty handed down by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on November 22.

The time taken for the CAS to arrive at their conclusion following WADA's appeal to the original penalty in 2012 hasn't been explained, but the time since West first tested positive (and was banned for one month) was taken into account, with WADA's requested 18-month ban from competition applied retrospectively.

As such, there is no real riding 'ban' for West, besides the one month he already served in 2012, but the penalty for the long-serving Aussie rider will include removal of all championship points he accumulated in the 2012 and 2013 championship seasons, 52 and 61 points, respectively.

West has 30 days to appeal the penalty.

The full FIM release is as follows:

The FIM has taken note of the Award handed down on 22 November 2013 by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in the case of rider Anthony West, participant in the 2012 FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix in the Moto2 Class.

On 20 May 2012, Anthony West underwent an anti-doping test conducted by the FIM at the 2012 French Grand Prix. The urine sample obtained from Mr West revealed the presence of a stimulant (Methylhexaneamine) prohibited in competition under the FIM Anti-doping Code in force.

Following a decision of 29 October 2012 handed down by the FIM International Disciplinary Court (CDI) to suspend Mr West for one month, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed to the CAS and called for a 24 month period of ineligibility to be imposed on Mr West.

The case was referred to a three-man CAS Panel. A hearing was held on 21 August 2013 in Lausanne and the parties were heard. The FIM was represented by the Head of its Legal Department, Mr Richard Perret.

The appeal by WADA against the CDI's decision was only partially upheld. The Panel suspended Anthony West for 18 months from which the one month's suspension already served was deducted.

Taking into account the considerable delay in the conduct of the case before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the CAS Panel decided to set the start of the suspension retroactively at 20 May 2012.

Subject to the lodging of any appeal by one of the parties within 30 days with the Swiss Federal Tribunal and as provided for in the CAS Award, all the sporting results obtained by Anthony West from 20 May 2012 up to the expiry of the period of ineligibility (i.e. 19 October 2013) will be invalidated.

The FIM will therefore modify the rankings of the 2012 and 2013 FIM Road Racing World Championships Grand Prix, Moto2 Class, accordingly. The FIM will also modify the rankings of the 2012 FIM Endurance Road Racing World Cup.