POOLE Pirates captain Darcy Ward has been provisionally suspended from all speedway following his failed alcohol test at the Latvian Grand Prix.

The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the shale sport’s global governing body, today announced that Ward would be banned from riding for an indefinite period while his case gets heard.

Ward had been eligible to ride domestically and raced for Poole in each of their Elite League meetings following his indiscretion 11 days ago.

The late decision leaves Poole without a recognised number one with the deadline for re-declaring teams in Britain’s top flight passing at midnight. 

Read the reaction of Poole Pirates team manager Neil Middleditch here.

FIM STATEMENT IN FULL:

The Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) has advised SGP rider Darcy Ward that he is provisionally suspended (with effect from August 28) pursuant to Article 7.5 of the FIM Anti-doping Code.

The decision to provisionally suspend Darcy Ward was taken following the receipt of a report from the FIM Track Racing Commission indicating that the result of an anti-doping control (alcohol test conducted by analysis of breath) carried out by the FIM on the rider at the Grand Prix of Latvia, round of the FIM Speedway Grand Prix World Championship held at Daugavpils on August 17, 2014, revealed the presence of alcohol above the threshold of 0.10g/L as fixed under the FIM Anti-doping Code.

In accordance with Article 8.1.1 of the FIM Anti-doping Code and Article 3.3.2 of the FIM Disciplinary and Arbitration Code, the case will be referred to the FIM International Disciplinary Court (CDI) which will adjudicate on the merits of the case.

For the duration of his provisional suspension, Mr Darcy Ward is barred from participating in any competition.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code and the FIM Anti-Doping Code, the FIM is unable to provide any additional information at this time.