Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1127887
IN THE WIND P50 Anthony West Quits Racing, Blasts FIM on Facebook A ustralian road racer Anthony West has quit the sport of road racing and released a social media tirade against the sport's governing body, the FIM. West, a former MotoGP factory racer for Kawasaki as well as WorldSSP race win- ner, has been in career limbo going on two years following a suspected positive drug test in 2018 in which the FIM stated "an Adverse Analytical Finding of a non-specified substance under Section 6 (Stimulants) of the 2018 FIM Prohibited List" was found in West's urine sample. This is the second time the Australian has allegedly tested positive for a banned substance. In 2012 while competing in the Moto2 World Championship for Qatari-based team QMMF, West tested positive for methylhexa- neamine, a substance prohibited under the FIM Anti-Doping Code, but commonly found in nasal decongestant sprays. He has categorically denied any wrong- doing in both cases. However, it now appears West will no longer participate in any form of motorcycle sport, follow- ing an expletive-filled Facebook post in which he takes straight aim at the FIM for "destroying my life." "F--- FIM I'm done with this sport!!!!" The post begins. "You will never see me on another motorcycle again in my life. You win FIM you dogs. Your (sic) really low shit people who should have nothing to do with the sport. FIM have pushed to make me lose my ride with Kawasaki here Brazil. FIM have destroyed my life many times and have put me into depres- sion to [the] point I wish I was dead. I'm done playing there (sic) bullshit political games. F--- you FIM. Sorry to all my fans who have supported me all the way since 1999 when 1st went to world championship. I love you all!!!!" West has been a consistent figure in international road rac- ing championships since 1999, when, as a 16-year-old, he made his debut in the 250cc World Championship for the now- defunct Shell Advance team. He would amass one win in 250cc in 2003 and another in Moto2 in 2014—at Assen in Holland. He also took wins in the World Supersport Championship for the factory Yamaha team in 2007, competed in MotoGP for the factory Kawasaki team, WorldSBK, World Endurance, Australian Superbike, MotoAmer- ica, Qatari Superbike Champion- ship, Asia Road Racing Cham- pionship, Suzuka 8 Hours and finally the Brazilian Superbike Championship, the series he is currently leading. CN Anthony West's Facebook post signals a sad end to a very long- lived international racing career.