Hidden motors in cycling: Van den Dreissche banned for 6 years, titles stripped
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Re: Hidden motors in cycling: Van den Dreissche banned for 6 years, titles stripped
#2This is a follow-up to discussions on "mechanical doping" in cycling.
The first story I recall on this topic was in 2010: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/may/19/cycling-motors-...
This is now 6 years later, and we finally have the first pro cyclist banned based on being caught red-handed at an event with a motor in her bicycle.
The type of motor she used was a Vivak, one of these: http://www.vivax-assist.com/en/produkte/vivax-assist-4-0/viv... though probably with a slightly modified button to make it more discreet.
Re: Hidden motors in cycling: Van den Dreissche banned for 6 years, titles stripped
#3What about Ryder Hesjedal's bike spinning on itself a few years back?
Are we addressing that as well? It feels like the UCI is only going after easy pickings to prove a point and not doing its best to actually to fight mechanical cheating in fear of yet another scandal.
Re: Hidden motors in cycling: Van den Dreissche banned for 6 years, titles stripped
#4It makes me wonder if the engines would be this sophisticated if they weren't for cheating?
Re: Hidden motors in cycling: Van den Dreissche banned for 6 years, titles stripped
#5Infrared FLIR cameras are being used to help spot the cheaters.
http://hackaday.com/2016/04/25/cyclists-use-tiny-motors-to-c...
Re: Hidden motors in cycling: Van den Dreissche banned for 6 years, titles stripped
#6If the motor was installed by a family friend, why would that person need to conceal the switch?
Re: Hidden motors in cycling: Van den Dreissche banned for 6 years, titles stripped
#7This is a follow-up to discussions on "mechanical doping" in cycling. The first story I recall on this topic was in 2010: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/may/19/cycling-motors-... This is now 6 years later, and we finally have the first pro cyclist banned based on being caught red-handed at an event with a motor in her bicycle. The type of motor she used was a Vivak, one of these: http://www.vivax-assist.com/en…
"It was controlled by a Bluetooth switch installed underneath the handlebar tape." (in the article)
Re: Hidden motors in cycling: Van den Dreissche banned for 6 years, titles stripped
#8What about Ryder Hesjedal's bike spinning on itself a few years back? Are we addressing that as well? It feels like the UCI is only going after easy pickings to prove a point and not doing its best to actually to fight mechanical cheating in fear of yet another scandal.
For some additional context / evidence: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynLMfzLTc8M
Re: Hidden motors in cycling: Van den Dreissche banned for 6 years, titles stripped
#9If the motor was installed by a family friend, why would that person need to conceal the switch?
And there was the race at the Koppenberg where she smashed everyone up the hill setting the Strava QOM, then lost lots of positions on the descents and technical parts, right until the next lap of the hill where she smashed up it again. Rinse repeat.
It's not surprising the ban starts at a date earlier than when she was caught, the UCI strongly believe she was using the motor earlier.
Re: Hidden motors in cycling: Van den Dreissche banned for 6 years, titles stripped
#10Infrared FLIR cameras are being used to help spot the cheaters. http://hackaday.com/2016/04/25/cyclists-use-tiny-motors-to-c...
That news article may not be entirely correct: https://www.eptc.co/watts-the-deal-with-motors/