GEICO HONDA’S CHRISTIAN CRAIG RECEIVES DOPING BAN

30/07/2019 Damien Ashenhurst FEATURES, NEWS Comments Off on GEICO HONDA’S CHRISTIAN CRAIG RECEIVES DOPING BAN
Christian Craig

American Geico Honda rider, Christian Craig, has been given notice by the FIM that the trace amount of a banned substance was found in his blood sample back in March, 2018, will result in a two year ban.

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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.

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“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.”

BELOW IS CHRISTIAN’S ORIGINAL POST – JUNE 19

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I wanted to give an update on what’s been going on this year. 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. There are two levels of prohibited substances- one would immediately suspend a rider & the other would not. Because the substance I tested positive for was on the lesser of the two lists, I’ve been able to keep racing. From the start, there was a mutual agreement between all parties to keep this confidential until it was further resolved. But as people keep asking, “what’s wrong with you?”, I feel I need to update you guys. My adverse finding was for a TRACE amount of Heptaminol, a drug I had never heard of till now. I have spent the last six months testing myself & everything I’ve ever used to find the source. With a lot of research, I am convinced that my positive test came from a contaminated supplement. I have learned many supplements include ingredients that are sourced from all around the world. Which makes it nearly impossible to guarantee non-contaminated ingredients, especially a year later. This situation has taken a huge toll on me mentally and has made it nearly impossible to clear my mind to go racing this year. I pride myself on always being honest with my fans. Knowing I’m a Dad and role model to others, it kills me to even be in this position. I cannot comment anymore and respectfully decline any interviews on this subject until it’s resolved. Which should be within the next 30 days or so. I hope this provides a better understanding on why I haven’t been myself this year. It takes a huge weight off my shoulders being able to share this much for now. Thanks for your continued support! *This photo was taken a month before I received the initial FIM email. I chose to use this photo to show my fans if I had any intention to cheat the system, I would NOT pose & sign an anti-doping, FIM poster with my 4 year old son*

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WHAT THE HELL IS HEPTAMINOL?

WE HAVE NO IDEA, SO WE ASKED WIKIPEDIA…

Heptaminol is an amino alcohol which is classified as a cardiac stimulant (positive inotropic action). It also increases coronary blood flow along with mild peripheral vasoconstriction. It is sometimes used in the treatment of low blood pressure, particularly orthostatic hypotension as it is a potent positive inotrope (improving cardiac contraction).[medical citation needed]

Heptaminol is classified by the World Anti-Doping Agency as a doping substance.[1] In 2008, the cyclist Dmitriy Fofonov tested positive for heptaminol at the Tour de France.[2] In June 2010, the swimmer Frédérick Bousquettested positive.[3] In 2013, the cyclist Sylvain Georges tested positive at the Giro d’Italia.[4] In 2014, baseball player Joel Piniero tested positive[5] as well as St. Louis Cardinals minor league baseball player Yeison Medina.[6]

On March 22, 2019, Cycling South Africa reported that Ricardo Broxham has been sanctioned for an anti-doping rule violation of Articles 2.1 and 2.2 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules after an in-competition test conducted on 18 August 2018 confirmed the presence of Heptaminol in his sample.

The UCI Anti-Doping Tribunal has imposed a period of ineligibility of 12 months for the violation, applicable as of 22 September 2018 up to and including 22 September 2019 and a disqualification of all results from the 2018 UCI Junior Track Cycling World Championships.[7]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heptaminol

Damien Ashenhurst
About Damien Ashenhurst 1721 Articles
Managing Editor of DIRT ACTION magazine. Damo doesn't like cheese or ISIS. Can often be found riding in mud because it's closest to the natural environment of a squid.

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