Cycling world stunned by alleged 'technological doping' - CNET

I deduce this from a statement offered on Saturday by the Union Cycliste Inteational. This is the body that, among other things, tries to ensure that cyclists don't have chemically-altered bodies.

"The Union Cycliste Inteationale confirms that pursuant to the UCI's Regulations on technological fraud, a bike has been detained for further investigation following checks at the Women's Under 23 race of the 2016 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships," reads the statement.

Technological fraud? This sounds akin to Formula 1 cars being illegally souped-up, but these are bikes. The riders in cyclo-cross have to not only ride them, but carry them over obstacles. How might these bikes have been made technologically fraudulent?

"It is no secret that a motor was found," UCI President Brian Cookson said in a press conference, reported by Cycling News. "We believe that it was indeed technological doping."

A motor? Yes, allegedly inside the bike's frame.

The mere phrase "technological doping" has a delicious quality. It's as if technology has trumped chemistry to create a new method for pushing push-bikes to go faster.

It's unclear what sort of motor may have been found. UCI didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

However, Cookson took to Twitter to declare: "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 rider who's bike was allegedly motor-doctored is Femke Van den Driessche, 19, from Belgium. She gave an interview to Belgian sports site Sporza -- reported by Cycling News.