It was my friend's bike (fitted with a hidden motor) honest!

[Alansmithee]

A concealed motor has been discovered during the examination of a bike used by a Belgian cyclist at the world cyclo-cross championships. The bike was seized by cycling authorities after Femke Van den Driessche, 19, was forced to pull out of the women's under-23 race due to a mechanical problem.


"It's absolutely clear that there was technological fraud. There was a concealed motor. I don't think there are any secrets about that," International Cycling Union (UCI) president Brian Cookson said.

The best bit:

Ms Van den Driessche, who had been among the favourites for the title before she was forced to withdraw, has insisted she was "totally unaware" the bike was fitted with a hidden motor.

"It wasn't my bike, it was that of a friend and was identical to mine," she tearfully told Belgian TV channel Sporza.

http://news.sky.com/story/1633189/hi...ists-race-bike


And if you are wondering how you do it:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKgJ_Uhwfno

[Stanford]

And if you are wondering how you do it:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKgJ_Uhwfno

That is so neat....but not good :(

[Olly]

Could drastically improve my commute to work, both in time saved and 'red face' improvement.

[TheFlyingBanana]

So, as a professional rider, she didn't notice the bike was doing half the work for her? And regardless, did it switch itself on?

Good luck with that defence.

[Der Amf]

So, as a professional rider, she didn't notice the bike was doing half the work for her? And regardless, did it switch itself on?

Good luck with that defence.

Well I had had one more coffee than usual that day, and the wind was coming over my right shoulder and so I just put it down to that. That and the EPO I had just taken.

[Spike]

This video gives a good explanation of the technology and its alleged use
https://youtu.be/8Nd13ARuvVE
Hardly subtle.

[jaytip]

Now that they know about this I guess an easy way to eliminate it is maximum weight allowance for the bikes.

[MrSmith]

Now that they know about this I guess an easy way to eliminate it is maximum weight allowance for the bikes.

not really. you can build a bike to easily pass below the UCI 6.8kg minimum bike weight so very easy to build a bike well below an upper limit to accommodate a small motor or battery.

[henryviii]

Top points for effort...or is that no points for effort?

[Kingstepper]

Are there teams in these cyclo-cross events or just individuals with a bike?

[china]

The bikes in pro races have been randomly checked for "motors" at least for two years - this is why this one got caught. It all started 3-4 years ago with first suspicions and the UCI reacted quite quickly by getting the equipment to x-ray bikes at races. I don't think they would've invested in that unless they thought that some really were cheating.

[50kopek]

Hesjedal's bike also seems to want to take off without him here...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap8W_S1TW30

[TheFlyingBanana]

Hesjedal's bike also seems to want to take off without him here...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap8W_S1TW30

Surely that is conclusive? Otherwise the bike is defying the basic laws of physics as far as I can tell.

[smithdj10]

Unreal, how will cycling ever clean up it's act!

[PickleB]

So it's time for parc fermé conditions and scrutineering in the world of cycling?

And for KERS too? Just think of the technology that can be fed through to the rest of us. Sod the example it sets...

[chrisparker]

Surely that is conclusive? Otherwise the bike is defying the basic laws of physics as far as I can tell.

All other links show motors in the seat tube which drive the cranks. On that video the cranks aren't spinning so if it has a motor it could only be in the rear hub, which I'd find very unlikely given the size/weight of racing hubs. I'd put that spinning wheel down to momentum.

[andy tims]

Incredible.

[thieuster]

The bikes in pro races have been randomly checked for "motors" at least for two years - this is why this one got caught. It all started 3-4 years ago with first suspicions and the UCI reacted quite quickly by getting the equipment to x-ray bikes at races. I don't think they would've invested in that unless they thought that some really were cheating.

Well, the footage of Cancellara during the 2010 Paris Roubaix makes you wonder if there's no 'motor' inside that bike. Like Van de Dinessche, Cancellara accelerates só quickly and is still on the saddle where others have to stand on the pedals...

Menno

[china]

^ I do agree with that, and I think that when UCI quite quickly got the x-ray truck they were not doing that for nothing - they must have quite concrete evidence of mechanical doping.

[Meesterbond]

Are there teams in these cyclo-cross events or just individuals with a bike?

It was the World Champs so National teams rather than Trade teams although that's an interesting question... the regulations put the onus on both the rider and the team to ensure that the bike is 'compliant'. What doesn't seem to be clear is whether that means her trade CX team or the whole Belgian National Team. The UCI aren't known for making particularly clear regulations.

[mark.wilo13]

She is a disgrace. She should just admit she is a cheat than give some ridiculous excuse.

[Mouse]

Are these 'special' items (one-offs if you like) or is someone mass producing them? Merely ask 'cos I'd love one on my mountain bike - I ain't getting any younger!

[mav112]

Are these 'special' items (one-offs if you like) or is someone mass producing them? Merely ask 'cos I'd love one on my mountain bike - I ain't getting any younger!

here you go

http://www.vivax-assist.com/en/produ...assist_4-0.php

[Glamdring]

Clearly invented by someone who realised fresh air is nice but all that effort pedalling is just unhealthy...

[Mouse]

here you go

http://www.vivax-assist.com/en/produ...assist_4-0.php

Thanks. Very impressive bit of kit, but at that price I will have to keep going unassisted!