Alex Sinclair: From Triumph to Turmoil and Back Again – A Road Racer’s Journey Through 2024
- aprremail
- Mar 14
- 9 min read
The world of road racing is built on passion, resilience, and unwavering determination. For local rider Alex Sinclair, the 2024 season was meant to be one of personal triumphs, but it instead became a year that tested him in ways he never expected. From standing on the top of the podium at Aberdare Park Road Races to the devastating shock of being excluded from the Manx Grand Prix due to a “non-negative” drugs test, Alex found himself battling not just for results on track but for his reputation, his career, and ultimately, his peace of mind.
After months of uncertainty, appeals, and independent testing, his initial two-year ban was rescinded, allowing him to regain his racing licence. Now, with his name cleared and a renewed sense of purpose, Alex reflects on the highs and lows of a tumultuous year and looks ahead to unfinished business in 2025.
Aberdare Park Road Races 2024: Success on Home Soil
For many riders, Aberdare Park Road Races is more than just another race, it’s an event steeped in history, tradition, and passion. Nestled in a woodland parkland circuit, it offers a unique and thrilling challenge, blending tight corners, fast straights, and a fiercely competitive field. For Alex, it has been a staple of his racing career, and in 2024, he arrived fully prepared and hungry for success.
"Aberdare has always been one of my favourite events. The atmosphere, the fans, the circuit—it’s just special. The weather was good, and the Ducati I was riding was absolutely spot on. Luigi always builds me great bikes, and I had no complaints.”
From the outset, Alex showcased his talent and experience, securing pole position and claiming four race victories in the Golden Era class, across the weekend. But the path to success wasn’t without its challenges. Alex struggled on his Aprilia during Saturday’s races, later discovering that his suspension setup was holding him back. Despite the setback, a late adjustment by another local rider Will Burchell, saw him turn things around for Sunday’s final, where he battled hard to claim second place.
"I knew I needed to be on the front row, and once I got a good start, it was all about staying smart. I was thinking ahead to the Manx GP, so I wasn’t going to take unnecessary risks. Ryan [Dixon] was on another level that weekend, but I had a great battle with Will Holland and Andy Smart, and took second place. To be honest, it felt like a win."
Aberdare once again proved why it remains one of the most thrilling road races in the UK, and Alex left the event feeling confident ahead of his return to the Isle of Man.
The Manx Grand Prix: A Nightmare Begins
For many road racers, the Manx Grand Prix represents a stepping stone to the Isle of Man TT, a chance to prove themselves on the legendary 37.73-mile Mountain Course. It’s also a worthy competition in it’s own right, with some of the sports biggest names participating every year.
Alex is no stranger to the Manx GP, securing 6 podiums during his 9 years competing on the island, and heading into his tenth Manx GP last August, the Welshman was thinking about his retirement from the event after 2024. Alex arrived on the island eager to make his mark, confident in his preparation and determined to improve on his previous results.
If Aberdare was a highlight, the Manx GP turned into the most difficult chapter of Alex’s career. Just days into the event, he was summoned for a random drugs test—something he had no concerns about. However, within hours, his world turned upside down.
"I was called for a routine drugs test, which I didn’t think twice about. I had nothing to hide, so I went straight there and did the test. The first sample took longer than usual, which was a bit strange, and then I was told it had come back as ‘non-negative’ for THC (cannabis).’ That was the moment my world starts to fall apart."
"I asked for a second test to be taken but instead of a fresh sample the original sample was reused, which I thought was strange. I was more than willing to take a blood test, hair sample or whatever it took to prove my innocence.”
What followed was a blur of frustration, disbelief, and devastation. Just 20 minutes after the test, he was called into a meeting where he was notified that he was excluded from the event with immediate effect.
"I tried to plead my case. I offered to get an independent test and I wasn’t able to appeal. It was brutal. By this point I’m in hysterics with emotion and thankfully I had my Dad with me. Within an hour, a press release was issued, and my name was out there for the world to see."
"Before I even had a chance to process what had happened, a press release went out. Within hours, I was being called a drug cheat, a disgrace, everything you can think of. The mental toll was unbearable. I felt disgraced, I felt as though I let my family down and my amazing sponsors. Calling my family and my sponsors was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I felt like my world had collapsed. My dad had worked so hard to get me to that point, and suddenly, everything we had built over the years was gone in an instant."
“For the next two days on the island I was inconsolable, and so was my Dad who tried his best not to show it. We knew the event was over for us and even if I did have an appeal overturned I was in now mental state to take to the track. Especially that one. Eventually, I just couldn't be on the island anymore and I took the next flight from Castletown to Birmingham. Now I had to try and digest what had happened and starting the process of clearing my name. My Dad had to stay on the island for a further few days due to the situation with the ferry’s, which must have been difficult.”
The race to clearing his name
Determined to clear his name, Alex, his Dad (Ian) and his main sponsor, Peter Fox, immediately sought independent drug testing. Within three days of the Manx test, Alex took a full-screen drug test at his GP, who took Alex’ medical 6 months previously.
“I started the process of taking every test and sample as quickly as possible, so that any substance that I was alleged to have had in my system was still there in theory. As results started to trickle, they were all coming back as negative. At this point, I also received an email stating that I was banned from racing for two-years and it would cost £3,000 to appeal it. Every time I thought about what is happening I just broke down and I was as low as I had ever been in my life. I just got stuck into my work doing longer hours just so I had something else on my mind.”
For many road racers, the biggest battles are fought on the track but for Alex, the fight extends far beyond the circuit. Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the digestive system, Alex has had to navigate the physical, mental, and medical challenges that come with the illness, all while competing at some of the most demanding circuits in the world.
Unlike typical sports injuries that heal with time, Crohn’s is a lifelong battle, requiring constant management, medication, and lifestyle adjustments. For Alex, one of the biggest struggles has been maintaining energy levels and overall well-being, particularly in the high-adrenaline world of motorcycle racing.
"Crohn’s is unpredictable. Some days I feel fine, and other days it completely wipes me out," he explains. "One of the biggest things I have to manage is my energy levels, which is why I rely on regular B12 injections."
Following his shock exclusion from the Manx Grand Prix, Alex and his team immediately began investigating potential causes for the false-positive THC result. One of the key areas of concern was whether his B12 injections or other Crohn’s medications could have triggered the "non-negative" test.
Though there is no direct evidence linking B12 shots to false THC positives, there have been documented cases of certain medications and supplements interfering with drug tests.
"It was one of the first things we looked into, because I know exactly what I put in my body. I don’t take any risks, especially with my condition. But when you’re on medication, things can get complicated, and that’s why I was so determined to get independent testing done."
To further prove his innocence, he underwent a hair follicle test, which can detect drug use up to six months prior. Again, the hair follicle analysis confirmed that no banned substances were in his system.
With the test results and paperwork in-hand, Alex began the long journey to clear his name and get his racing ban rescinded. Alex praises Matthew Wear from the ACU who praised his professionalism, fairness, and genuine support.
"Matthew was brilliant throughout the entire process. He was one of those people who really listened to my side of the story and understood the situation. He kept everything professional and didn’t jump to conclusions, which is all you can ask for in a situation like this."
By this stage, Alex and his family were getting legal advice from those within the industry.
“Emails were going back and forth for months and I felt more and more dejected. The whole situation affected not only my immediate family but everyone around me. I felt guilty, ashamed and that I’d let everyone down, despite knowing that I’d done nothing wrong. I did have a lot of support from those who know me which was a great strength.”
After months of waiting, Alex was booked in for another hair follicle test which came back as a negative. By November of last year, Alex received his racing license back and his hair follicle test reimbursed. The ordeal was over, however the psychological scars are there, and will take time to heal.
"I knew I was innocent, but seeing the results in black and white was a relief. "By the time the ban was lifted, so much damage had already been done. I lost sponsors, lost opportunities, and had my name dragged through the mud for months. But at least I can say I’m innocent.”
Despite the distress and frustration caused by his own experience, Alex Sinclair remains firm in his belief that drug testing is a crucial aspect of motorsport. As a high-speed, high-risk discipline, road racing demands the utmost concentration, physical ability, and reaction times from its competitors.
"I completely understand and respect the need for drug testing in the sport. When you're racing at such high speeds, the smallest lapse in focus can have serious consequences, not just for yourself but for everyone on the track. We need to make sure that riders are in the best possible condition to compete."
However, Alex believes that education, transparency, and consistency in the testing process is key moving forward.
"I feel as though there needs to be more awareness among riders about what substances are being tested for and the procedures that follow a test. Riders should have clear guidelines about medications, supplements, and how results are reviewed. No one wants to see a clean rider go through what I did."
As he looks to the future, Alex hopes his experience will encourage constructive conversations between governing bodies and riders to improve the process. "I wouldn’t wish this experience on anyone, but if it can lead to better communication, education, and transparency then at least some good will come from it."
2025: Redemption and a New Chapter
Now, with his name cleared and licence reinstated, Alex is looking ahead to 2025—but with a changed mindset.
"I’m not the same rider I was before all of this. I’ve learned a lot about how quickly things can go wrong, but I’m still here, and I’m still fighting."
His plans for 2025 include a return to Aberdare Park Road Races, as well as Classic Racing Motorcycle Club events with Fox Classic Racing Ducati and Luigi Moto Aprilia.
But one big question remains, will he return to the Manx Grand Prix?
"At first, I said never again. But after talking with my family and team, I know I can’t let the place beat me like that. I have unfinished business. I know the risks and I know what can happen, but if I’m going to finish my time at the Manx Grand Prix I want it to be on my terms.”
The biggest challenge, however, will be securing sponsorship. Many brands distanced themselves during the controversy, making financial backing a real concern.
"I hate asking for help, but if anyone wants to support me, it would mean the world. I just want to get back on the bike and prove what I can do whilst restarting this chapter of my career and my life."
To support Alex and his team to achieve their goals for 2025 and right the wrongs of 2024, a Go Fund Me Page has been set up to help Alex. If you would to offer help to Alex ahead of a season full of emotion and passion, please click below.
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