DARCY Ward has expressed his gratitude to Poole Pirates promoter Matt Ford and team boss Neil Middleditch for “sticking by me”.

Ward was speaking exclusively to the Daily Echo after discovering he had been hit with a 10-month ban for a failed alcohol test.

The 22-year-old had been suspended indefinitely after exceeding the limit fixed under the global governing body of motorcycle racing’s anti-doping code.

Despite testing positive ahead of the Latvian Grand Prix on August 17, Ward raced for Pirates in meetings against Leicester on August 20 and August 23 before he was officially suspended by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) on August 28.

Two-time world under-21 champion Ward, who had blamed dehydration and immediately apologised, could have received a maximum two-year ban.

Ward looked on from the pits as Pirates were crowned Elite League champions and also missed the climax of the Polish and Swedish seasons.

The Queenslander’s suspension also contributed to him sliding out of the top eight in the Grand Prix series, which effectively ruled him out of this year’s world championship.

Ward, who rides in the Swedish League for Piraterna, told the Daily Echo: “I am very thankful for the support there has been from all around the world. I haven’t had many doubters.

“Thanks to Matt and Middlo for sticking by me and to my Swedish club, who have been awesome, and to the fans, who have been amazing.

“I am just looking forward to trying to be back as soon as possible and will continue to give my support to the Pirates in the meantime.”

Ward’s ban will take into account the time he spent suspended and will end at the end of June, freeing him to return to the saddle. He politely declined to comment on the length of the ban and is expected to issue a statement in the next few days.

Promoter Ford told the Daily Echo: “It’s incredibly frustrating for the decision to have taken so long. If they were always going to pass a continuous ban, it would have made sense to have made it earlier. However, these things happen.

“From a Poole perspective, we are very disappointed Darcy won’t be in the team at the start of the season. But we have spoken and his long-term future is clearly with the club. I consider this a small setback but, long term, I think we will all benefit from Darcy longing to ride a speedway bike again.”

News of Ward’s ban is certain to fuel speculation of a return for Maciej Janowski, who captained Pirates during the second half of last season.

Ford is set to announce the final two members of the Pirates team tomorrow.