The best bit: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.
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
Last edited by Alansmithee; 31st January 2016 at 22:21.
Could drastically improve my commute to work, both in time saved and 'red face' improvement.
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.
So clever my foot fell off.
This video gives a good explanation of the technology and its alleged use
https://youtu.be/8Nd13ARuvVE
Hardly subtle.
I'm sure I read that her brother is currently banned due to EPO use...
Nothing like a good laugh to start a Monday morning. Thank you!
How stupid do some people think the rest of us are?
Now that they know about this I guess an easy way to eliminate it is maximum weight allowance for the bikes.
Top points for effort...or is that no points for effort?
Are there teams in these cyclo-cross events or just individuals with a bike?
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.
Hesjedal's bike also seems to want to take off without him here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap8W_S1TW30
Unreal, how will cycling ever clean up it's act!
You can see why now she fitted that motor...
Mind you her friend was just out of shot and waiting for her....
Impossible to not notice, ban for life is the only reasonable action given previous "issues" in the sport.
I don't think the Hesjedal case is conclusive. I've had that happen to a downhill bike - when you crash at 60km/h and the wheel is still spinning, it will move like that after you crash.
This is getting plenty of laughs around the office - too good not to share!
Be your own judge... Watch Femke on the RH side of the road. Watch here coming around the corner and accelerating then compare them with the other contenders coming around the corner.
Menno
I love that youtube vid - she makes climbing the Koppenberg look like a Sunday club run.
The sad thing is that a British woman actually won the race and I don't think I've seen that mentioned anywhere!
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.
She is a disgrace. She should just admit she is a cheat than give some ridiculous excuse.
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!
^ 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.
Clearly invented by someone who realised fresh air is nice but all that effort pedalling is just unhealthy...
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.
Apparently it is...X-ray cameras on Grand Tour stages:
It is one of a raft measures being announced by the International Cycling Union (UCI) on Wednesday in the fight against technological fraud.
The first proven case of 'mechanical doping' saw Belgium's Femke van den Driessche banned for six years in 2016.
Thermal cameras have been used in the last two Tours de France.
Where are the forum stalwarts rushing to the defence but they're all doing it? It's not cheating it's competing on a level playing field. What else do you suggest, ban every single bicycle in the country.
No, they're a bunch of liars and cheats. Pathetic.