'I was fed up with the motorcycle scene' - West discusses his time away from racing

12/13/2024 07:43 AM

Anthony West has discussed the time he spent away from motorcycle racing during his ban.

After 19 years in World Championship motorcycle racing, Anthony West's racing career came to an abrupt pause.

The Australian had raced in 238 Grands Prix, across the 125cc, 250cc, Moto2 and MotoGP World Championships. He also competed in 49 races across the World Supersport and World Superbike Championships.

However, in September 2018 the Australian was banned by the World Motorcycle Federation for a doping offence. A substance from the S6 stimulant category was found in his sample.

Without a racing license, West spent his time working a 'regular job'. During the coronavirus pandemic, he drove trucks across Australia. "I just got fat during that time," West recently told Speedweek.com.

"But it was a good experience to have a regular income. Before, I heard promises that I would be paid, but in the end the contracts were often worthless. At that time, however, I knew exactly how much money I would have in my account in a few days - that was a good feeling."

"I did that for a year, partly because I was fed up with the motorcycle scene. I didn't want anything to do with it anymore. I got to know my country, it was an easy job and I got paid. That was good.

"But if you've been racing your whole life, a job like that quickly gets boring. That's what happened to me, it got on my nerves. In the end, I relapsed, I just couldn't live without it."

West got his license back in 2021 after publicly apologising to the FIM for his insinuations and outbursts. The 43-year-old has since raced in the Australian Superbike paddock and in the Endurance World Championship.

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