ASK THE MXPERTS:
IS THERE A BARRY BONDS IN AMA RACING?
Dear MXA,
After the Tour de France problems and the Barry Bonds drug scandals I was wondering if the AMA tests for steroids or EPO? Do pro racers use performance enhancing drugs?
The quick answer about AMA testing is no. Under AMA rules (chapter 6, section F, rule 1) riders are prohibited from using, possessing, purchasing, selling or distributing illegal drugs and can be subject to random testing. Alcohol is included, as is the misuse of over-the-counter or prescription drugs. The minimum penalty is a one-race suspension, up to $500 fine, reimbursement for the AMA drug testing costs and a one-year probationary period. A second offense carries a two-year mandatory suspension from AMA competition and a third offense is a lifetime ban. There is no mention of performance enhancing drugs that are legal or prescribed.
The second answer is yes, professional racers have used performance enhancing drugs. If you were a factory rider and went to a professional trainer, the first question the trainer would ask is, “What is illegal in your sport?” If you answer was “Alcohol, cocaine and marijuana,” he would feel free to train you within the limits of the rulebook. Many sports (even those with poor reputations like cycling) have a list of banned substances that could fill up a book the size of the Chicago phone book...motocross does not. In a twist, Supercross contracted WADA (the Olympic drug testing association) to do random drug tests at the 2009 Supercross series. They didn't catch anyone. The AMA motocross series does not test (and performance drugs would pay a bigger dividend in the long outdoor motos than in short Supercross sprints).
Which racers use or have used these drugs? Your guess is as good any anyone’s. 
