Image: Supplied.

Geico Honda’s Christian Craig has revealed he’s been handed down an official sanction after allegedly testing positive to a banned substance last year, the final verdict determining a two-year suspension which dates back to the test at Daytona supercross on 10 March 2018.

Craig, who was made aware of the alleged adverse sample in January this year and released a statement last month, has maintained his innocence and believes ingredients in a supplement he was consuming were contaminated with the substance Heptaminol.

Heptaminol is a Specified Stimulant prohibited for in-competition use under the World Anti-Doping Code, which is adopted by the FIM that sanctions the Monster Energy AMA and World Supercross Championship.

The sanction, which clears his results for the last two seasons, means the popular contender will not be able to resume racing until 9 March 2020, ultimately forcing him to withdraw from the remainder of the 2019 Lucas Oil AMA Pro Motocross Championship. Craig will appeal the decision.

“Woke up this morning to the results of my CDI hearing,” Craig said in a statement. “The three person panel of judges, whom are appointed by the FIM, decided on a two-year suspension from the testing date. The two-year suspension would mean I can no longer race until 9 March 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 of Sport.”

Craig finished 12th overall last weekend at Washougal’s ninth round of the 2019 outdoor series.