James Stewart tests positive for banned substanc

Shawn Smith



Just days after his most dominant Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship race in years, James Stewart is dealing with trouble after receiving notice that he failed a World Anti-Doping Agency drug test two months ago during the AMA Supercross season.

The FIM, one of the governing bodies behind the Monster Energy AMA Supercross series, announced Friday that Stewart tested positive for an amphetamine following the conclusion of the Seattle Supercross round on April 12th. They subsequently announced that he’s been provisionally suspended, “with effect from June 20th until further notice.”

Choosing to be proactive about the incident, Stewart’s camp actually broke the news first on Thursday night and is hoping to resolve the issue by presenting the required documentation to prove that the substance was legitimately prescribed. “The medication in question is and has been prescribed to Stewart by his physician to treat a long-term condition,” the Yoshimura Suzuki team stated in a press release. “Stewart … is willingly communicating with WADA and taking all appropriate steps to resolve this matter.”

It’s worth noting that amphetamines, often prescribed to treat ADHD, are in a separate category from PEDs such as steroids and hormones.

With a suspension levied by the FIM, Stewart’s future has become clouded, but it may not preclude him from lining up for the next round of the Lucas Oil Pro Motocross Championship in eight days since the FIM is not a sanctioning body for the outdoor series. As of now, there has been no official word on his status for the rest of the season.

Stewart currently sits third overall in 450 Class points in Lucas Oil Pro Motocross and is one of the hottest riders in the premier class after sweeping both motos at High Point last Saturday.