Hidden Motor Found In Cyclist's Race Bike

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," said International Cycling Union (UCI) president Brian Cookson.

"Technological fraud is unacceptable.

"We want the minority who may consider cheating to know that, increasingly, there is no place to hide and sooner or later they will pay for the damage they’re causing to our sport."

The UCI has scanned bikes at major competitions, including the Tour de France, in recent years amid rumours about cyclists using motors hidden in frames.

However, this is the first time such a device is believed to have been found.

Van den Driessche, who had been among the favourites for the title before she was forced to withdraw, insisted she was "totally unaware" the bike had been 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.

"This friend went around the course Saturday before dropping off the bike in the truck. A mechanic, thinking it was my bike, cleaned it and prepared it for my race.

"I feel really terrible. I'm aware I have a big problem. [But] I have no fears of an inquiry into this. I have done nothing wrong."

Maarten Vangramberen, a journalist for Sporza, said: "After one lap of the world championships, UCI took Femke’s bike in the pit area and tested it with some sort of tablet.

"When the saddle was removed, there were electrical cables in the seat tube. When they wanted to remove the bottom bracket, which is normally not difficult, they could not because the crank was stuck. Inside there was a motor."

Technological fraud carries a minimum six-month suspension and a fine of between 20,000 (£13,700) to 200,000 Swiss francs.

The race at Heusden-Zolder in Belgium was won by Britain's Evie Richards.