Updated March 22, 2018 14:38:17

Photo: UCI has stepped up its fight against the use of hidden engines. (Reuters: Denis Balibouse)

The International Cycling Union (UCI) says it will use X-ray technology and randomly select bikes to dismantle following races in an increased effort to fight technological fraud.

UCI president David Lappartient, who won a landslide election victory over Brian Cookson last September, had promised the detection of potential mini-engines in bikes would be one of his top priorities.

The Frenchman announced a series of new measures in Geneva, including the use of X-ray equipped trucks.

Other measures include the dismantling of suspicious bikes and the continued use of tablet devices to scan bikes, a technique that was widely criticised by riders and some team staff for being ineffective.

Photo: David Lappartient says the X-ray machines will be mounted on the back of trucks. (Reuters: Denis Balibouse)

In the past two editions of the Tour de France, thermal imaging cameras were also used to detect the potential use of motors in bikes.

Riders caught using mini-engines face a minimum six-month suspension as well as a fine up to $270,000, while the team could face a fine of up to $1.3 million.

In 2016, Belgian cyclo-cross champion Femke Van den Driessche became the first rider banned for using a hidden motor in a race.

Photo: The UCI will introduce the scans in its races, including the Tour de France. (AP: Peter Dejong)

Reuters

Topics: cycling, sport, switzerland

First posted March 22, 2018 10:21:58