POOLE Pirates star Darcy Ward has been hit with a 10-month ban following his failed alcohol test, as revealed earlier by the Daily Echo.

Ward today received confirmation of his punishment after attending a hearing at the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) last month.

Read what Darcy has to say here

The 22-year-old had been suspended indefinitely since the end of August after failing an alcohol test ahead of the Latvian Grand Prix.

A statement released at the time by the FIM – the global governing body of motorcycle racing – said Ward had exceeded the alcohol threshold fixed under its anti-doping code.

Earlier today, a tweet on Ward’s Twitter account said he would “not start the season but may be back through the year”.

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.