Aprilia’s Andrea Iannone breaks his silence on the 18 months doping ban from racing in MotoGP and anywhere else as he thanks everyone for their support.
The FIM International Disciplinary Court, even though understood that Iannone ate food which was contaminated, still kept the ban on the Italian, which could see his MotoGP career in jeopardy as the 18 months will certainly end his Aprilia contract.
Massimo Rivola has already indicated that if his ban stays then he will have to let go Iannone. For now, they are on his side and are to appeal the decision as they feel that the ban is invalid after it was proved that it was not a deliberate action from the rider.
Having only shared photos and re-posted Instagram shares, Iannone finally spoke about the matter after months of wait and trials. “Months have passed since this sad story began and I confess that every day seemed like a year,” wrote the rider.
“Being judged innocent certainly does not leave me happy because, for the first time in history, an athlete is judged innocent and at the same time sentenced to 18 months for taking contaminated food out of his control.
“And I will not stop before this sentence because it will never happen again for anyone else. Despite the suffering of having to walk an impervious and not chosen path, unjustly, I decided to continue my every step in silence.
“My silent suffering, however, has so far hidden all that this story has taught me: nothing is taken for granted and everything can change in a second. However, I also carry many positive notes, such as your affection or being able to evaluate people and facts in a more mature way.
“That’s right, despite everything, today I am more mature and aware of your affection. You never left me and you accompanied me in every moment of this sad and hard path. That’s why I will face my future by remembering these moments forever, trying to be the strength that I had: giving the best of me to others.
“In thanking all of you who have been with me, however, I also extend my gratitude to my friends, my family and my father in particular, to the whole Aprilia team, to Massimo Rivola and to all my sponsors who never have me abandoned .
“In addition to my thanks, in addition, I extend all my esteem to my lawyer, Antonio De Rensis who has been at my side at all times like a father does with his children. To all of you, I will be forever grateful, summed up Iannone.
If they still keep the ban on Iannone, Aprilia will have to fall back on Bradley Smith for the 2020 MotoGP season at least alongside Aleix Espargaro. Rivola, though, is confident that it will be overturned as they have no case against the Italian rider.
The blessing in disguise for Iannone is the current COVID-19 pandemic, which otherwise has been a problem to everyone around the world. The Italian has got time as there is no certainty as to when the 2020 MotoGP season will kick-off.
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