UCI reacts to criticism in French and Italian media mechanical doping investigation

Originally published on Cyclingnews

The UCI responded Sunday to an investigation by a French television programme and an Italian newspaper that suggested mechanical doping is taking place in the professional peloton and the UCI checks are not reliable.

In a statement sent to Cyclingnews via email Sunday evening, the governing body said it is confident it currently uses a method of detection that is “extremely efficient.”

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“The UCI has been testing for technological fraud for many years, and with the objective of increasing the efficiency of these tests, we have been trialling new methods of detection over the last year,” the UCI said.

“We have looked at thermal imaging, x-ray and ultrasonic testing but by far the most cost effective, reliable and accurate method has proved to be magnetic resonance testing using software we have created in partnership with a company of specialist developers. The scanning is done with a tablet and enables an operator to test the frame and wheels of a bike in less than a minute.”

• What is mechanical doping?
• Femke Van Den Driessche denies using motor at Cyclocross World Champs
• Froome’s bike and five others checked for hidden motors at the Tour de France 2015
• David Walsh: Mechanical doping could spell the end of pro cycling

Extensive testing so far in 2016

Heat detector

Teslameter: “not very reliable”

You can read more at BikeRadar.com