‘Motorised bike’ confiscated at Cyclo-cross World Championships

Rumours have abounded over recent years of mechanical doping, but this is the first confirmed case in top-level competition.

The rider of the bike in question has been identified by many news sources as Femke Van Den Driessche, a Belgian U23 rider who was considered a favorite for the U23 race.

A concealed motor has been found during examination of Femke Van den Driessche’s bike, during the Cyclocross World Championships, it was revealed today. “I don’t think there are any secrets about that”, Cookson told a news conference.

Last year’s Tour de France champion Chris Froome faced accusations of using a motorised bicycle, while Fabian Cancellara’s 2010 victory in the Tour of Flanders also stirred a debate.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) has confirmed that a bike has been detained at the Cyclo-cross World Championships due to suspicion of “technological fraud”.

“This is the first time the UCI has established a technical fraud case and for us, that’s a downer”.

The UCI reportedly used a tablet computer that reads radio frequencies to detect the hidden motor. According to reports, when the saddle was removed electrical cables were found in the seat tube. After some time trying to remove a stuck crank arm and bottom bracket, they discovered a motor.

Van den Driessche was among the race favorites, but she was forced to withdraw from the women’s under-23 race because of a mechanical problem toward the end. “I never imagined something like this would go on in our team”. I’m aware I have a big problem.

An incident of “technological fraud” is being investigated in the under-23 women’s race, which was won by Great Britain’s Evie Richards.

Technological fraud carries a minimum six-month suspension and a fine of anywhere between approximately £13,000 and £140,000.