Today, French authorities arrested a rider for mechanical doping. He was caught using an illegal motor which was installed inside the bike during a race in France.
The rider, 43, remains unknown. He reportedly admitted cheating soon after police stopped him following an investigation by French police and also French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD).
Apparently, the Anti-Doping Agency had been monitoring the cyclist after several impressive performances and also some “striking” climbing skills.
“Unfortunately, the outcome of this operation confirms what we feared about the possible use of this kind of fraud. Which is a real insult to our sport and to all the competitors who carry out their activity in full honesty,” FFC chief Michel Callot said during an official statement.
The cycling event held in Saint-Michel-de-Double in south of France belongs to the third category. It gathered a large number of participants, mostly amateur riders.
A real, growing issue
There are many speculations that have been around regarding mechanical doping since early 2010.
However, it wasn’t until last year when race organizers caught a Belgian rider while participating at the cycle-cross world championships, when this matter started to become a real issue. The rider was eventually banned for six years. The latest case of mechanical doping involves an Italian, veteran rider while participating in an amateur race earlier this summer.
Normally, race organizer always check the bikes before every race. Callot said that the FFC uses thermal cameras in order to properly inspect and discover these cases. As for the world governing body UCI, it prefers using magnetic tablets when trying to uncover these cases.
According to its new president, David Lappartient, they are also preparing to use a few other, new methods, in order to combat mechanical doping.
