Christian Craig Announces FIM Suspension via Instagram
Earlier this summer, GEICO Honda's Christian Craig broke news via Instagram that he had failed an anti-doping test from the 2018 Daytona Supercross. Craig stated in the post: “On January 23rd, 2019 I received an email from the FIM stating that an adverse finding was discovered from Daytona, March 10, 2018. Most importantly, I NEVER have or would knowingly take a banned substance! The FIM has agreed that they do not believe I intentionally ingested the substance. Of course, that doesn’t take away from the fact it was there. …My adverse finding was for a TRACE amount of Heptaminol, a drug I had never heard of till now.”
He continued that he should hear an answer on the situation “within the next 30 days or so.” (You can read Racer X’s original post on the news here.)
Well this evening, Craig posted an update on his Instagram page—that he had received a sentencing from the FIM.
Craig's full Instagram post is below:
Woke up this morning to the results of my CDI hearing. The three person panel of judges, whom are appointed by the FIM, decided on a 2 year suspension from the testing date (March 10th, 2018). The two year suspension would mean I can no longer race until March 9th, 2020 and all results in between will be cleared.
The FIM wanted the source of the trace amount of Heptaminol. It’s almost impossible to provide proof of source when they waited 10.5 months before notifying me- a delay they have not explained and have only offered an apology. Although the FIM have stated they don’t believe I intentionally ingested the substance, they argue I was negligent on ensuring everything that went into my body was examined by a medical doctor.
I will be appealing FIM’s decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Since March 10, 2018, Craig has competed in seven rounds of the 2018 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship, two rounds of the 2018 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship (before suffering a torn ACL), one round of the 2019 Monster Energy AMA Supercross Championship (before sitting out after re-injuring his thumb in order to be healthy for Pro Motocross), and six rounds of the 2019 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. If his appeal is denied and his suspension will stand until March 9th, 2020, he will miss several rounds of the 2020 Monster Energy AMA Supercross 250SX East Region schedule (including all the rounds prior March 9, 2020).
Through nine rounds of the 2019 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship, Craig sits 19th in the 250 Class. His best finish was a tenth overall at the Fox Raceway National, where he also finished a season-best sixth in the first moto. However, with his ruling these results will be cleared.
Craig has stated in other posts that his situation has impacted both his racing on the track and his home life. He is no longer able to continue racing at this time.
He will keep providing information on Craig’s appeal.
