UCI Cyclo-cross World Championship - UCI confirm mechanical doping case at Cyclo-cross World Championships

The 19-year-old's bicycle was confiscated for examination on Saturday after she was suspected of mechanical doping, and it has now been confirmed

    YORICK JANSENS Confirmed: A concealed motor was found in Femke Van den Driessche's bike

UCI president Brian Cookson today revealed that Femke Van den Driessche's Cyclo-cross World Championships bike did contain a concealed motor.

The 19-year-old's bicycle was confiscated for examination on Saturday after she was suspected of mechanical doping, and it has now been confirmed.

"It's absolutely clear that there was technological fraud. There was a concealed motor. I don't think there are any secrets about that," Cookson said.

"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."

Threat: Van den Driessche faces a six-month ban and a fine 

Van den Driessche was taking part in the under-23's race, which was eventually won by Great Britain's Evie Richards.

Rumours of mechanical doping have been around for some time - the UCI have been scanning bikes at major tournaments for years - but this is the first confirmed case at the top level of cycling.

Speaking to Belgian TV channel Sporza, Van den Driessche said: “It wasn’t my bike, it was that of a friend and was identical to mine.

“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.”

If found guilty, Van den Driessche faces a six-month suspension and a fine of up to 200,000 CHF (£137,000)