2020 Monster Energy Supercross Series | USADA To Conduct Doping Tests

2020 MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS SERIES | RACE SCHEDULE

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On Wednesday the FIM issued the notes and outcome from the third meeting of the board of directors this year. As the top ruling body over motorcycle competition, what they decide applies to the many racing championships and organizations around the world that are signatories of the European-based group. In addition to the normal topics like budgets and affiliations with similar sporting federations, the FIM announced a specific change for the 2020 Monster Energy Supercross Series, an FIM World Championship. Effective in January all anti-doping testing procedures for the series will be conducted through USADA, the national anti-doping organization for the United States. The Colorado-based company is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code, known commonly as WADA, which has been the long-time partner of the Supercross series.

“Anti-doping: The Board has approved a new simplified and speedy procedure for anti-doping tests for the AMA Supercross, an FIM World Championship. The sample collection and analysis will be carried out by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). The FIM will be responsible for the rest of the procedure in case of a positive result.”

Although the information in the update is limited the FIM was sure to point out that the change in collections and testing from WADA, a globally responsible company, to USADA, a nationally responsible company, was done to expedite and simplify the process. This is no doubt in response to missteps in past anti-doping incidents that tied up James Stewart, Cade Clason, Broc Tickle, and Christian Craig for much longer time frames than what’s stated in the WADA code. The FIM, however, will still be responsible for the procedures that must take place in the case of positive test result (notification to the athlete and communication about the matter, determining the proper outcome or punishment). A lack of communication and timing has been the main complaint by all riders that have tested positive in the doping sample.

We had heard that a change for Supercross was coming a few weeks back and plan to speak with AMA-FIM representatives soon on the matter. Feld Entertainment, the promoter of the Monster Energy Supercross Series, is yet to comment publically. We have reached out and will share more information as it becomes available.