James Stewart Cleared To Race This Weekend

Paul Carruthers | June 24, 2014

James Stewart will race this weekend in Tennessee despite failed drug test.

Yoshimura Suzuki’s James Stewart will be able to compete in this weekend’s Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship at Muddy Creek despite failing a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) drug test at the Seattle Supercross in April, according to MX Sports Pro Racing, the promoters of the series.

The FIM announced last week that they have suspended Stewart from competition at its sanctioned events, but the Pro Motocross Championship has no affiliation with the FIM, MX Sports Pro Racing says. Stewart tested positive for an amphetamine in the WADA test in April.

“The provisional suspension of James Stewart by the FIM as a result of an alleged anti-doping violation on April 12, 2014, does not at this time involve MX Sports Pro Racing or the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship,” said a statement issued today by MX Sports Pro Racing, which was buried 12 paragraphs into MX Sport’s preview of this weekend’s race in Tennessee. “At this stage in the results management process, the decision to compete at a National level remains with the athlete, FIM and WADA, as MX Sports Pro Racing is not a Signatory to the WADA Code and does not have the authority to impose a provisional suspension. Our sanctioning body, AMA Pro Racing, has indicated that it will not restrict Stewart from competing in the upcoming Tennessee National and will reevaluate its position pending the final decision of the FIM International Disciplinary Court (CDI). If this position changes we will be notified accordingly. Until then, Mr. Stewart is free to compete without restriction.”

Stewart won both motos two weeks ago at the High Point round of the series. He currently sits third in the championship point standings behind Red Bull KTM’s Ken Roczen and Ryan Dungey.