The UCI carried out unannounced spot checks on around 90 bikes at the La Mediterraneenne stage race yesterday, but found no evidence of mechanical doping.
The checks followed on from the recent find of a concealed motor in a bike ridden by Belgian rider Femke Van den Driessche at the recent UCI U23 Women’s Cyclo-cross world championships.
“These bike checks used the same type of equipment which the UCI trialled at the 2016 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Heusden-Zolder where a concealed engine was detected,” the UCI said in a statement.
“This equipment enables those performing the tests to investigate large numbers of bikes, both frames and wheels, in a short period of time.”
“Intelligence has also been gained from active engagement with the industry and other information given to u,s which has enabled us to refine and improve our testing.”
The UCI said it will continue to test “a significant numbers of bikes” in unannounced tests in all disciplines throughout 2016 and beyond.
Matteo Pinnelli
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