Banned Rider returns to MotoGP after 5 years as a replacement in the 2024 Malaysian GP

Lannone the former MotoGP rider will make his return to the world’s biggest bike racing competition after 5 years out of the paddock. He will be racing as a substitute for Di Giannantonio who will undergo shoulder surgery before next year’s MotoGP season.

Giannantonio suffered a big shoulder injury at this year's Austrian Grand prix and he will be out of action for the last two races of the MotoGP season at both Malaysia and Valencia. The VR46 team has officially announced Andrea Lannone as the new replacement rider for this weekend's Malaysian Grand prix. He will appear in the MotoGP paddock after 5 long years since the 2019 season.

Banned from MotoGP

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The 35-year-old rider spent seven years in MotoGP with teams including Ducati where he raced for Four seasons. He won the 2016 Austrian Grand prix at the Red Bull ring which is the first Ducati win since Stoner's 2010 victory. The year 2019 turned to be the nightmare year for Lannone as he was tested positive for using Drostanolone, an anabolic steroid that was prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. He was disqualified for one and a half years which was later extended to four years.

During that time he was riding for the Aprilia team on a two-year contract. At the start of this year, the Italian rider was allowed to come back to Professional Motor racing where he joined the Go Eleven Ducati team in the World Super Bike championship.

He will now return to MotoGP after 1814 days and will be racing instead of Di Giannantonio at the Malaysian Grand Prix this year. Ducati was considering many other riders to ride for the VR46 team. But Lannone was chosen by none other than the GOAT Valentino Rossi who influenced everyone to give chance to Lannone. He is also in contention for the Valencia GP.

VR46 Teams Di Giannantonio was very impressive with his speed and skill as he was recognized by the Ducati Factory team where he was signed for the Factory roster in 2025. He will be the only rider who will be allowed to test Ducati’s GP 25 bike in 2025 other than factory riders Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia.

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