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First Hidden Electric Motor In Cycling World Championship (cxmagazine.com)

Posted by timothy on from the thumb-on-the-scale dept.

An anonymous reader writes with the story that the world championship cyclocross competition this weekend in Zolder (Belgium) was scandalized by the first case of "mechanical doping." European champion Femke Van Den Driessche was caught with a bicycle with a hidden electric motor. From the article: The Union Cycliste Internationale said in a statement âoethat pursuant to the UCIâ(TM)s Regulations on technological fraud a bike has been detained for further investigation following checks at the Womenâ(TM)s Under 23 race of the 2016 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships. This does not concern any of the riders on the podium. Further details will be shared in due course.â

The Belgian media outlet Sporza reported that the Belgian Cycling Federation had confirmed that the detained bike belonged to Van den Driessche. Ironically, Van den Driessche had abandoned the race due to a mechanical issue shortly before the bike was scrutinised. Van den Driesscheâ(TM)s name did not feature in the official results on the UCI website on Saturday evening. Cyclocross Magazine adds some details.

11 of 262 comments (clear)

  1. More details... by bluescrn · · Score: 5, Informative

    There's some pics here showing how such a motor can be concealed surprisingly well:

    http://cyclingtips.com/2015/04...

    1. Re:More details... by Vegan+Cyclist · · Score: 4, Informative

      To give the power (wattage) a little more context: typical pros can average 400-500w over an hour. If someone could add 110w to that, it's a massive gain. It can turn someone with mediocre fitness into a 'champion'. It can make the difference for a successful breakaway for sure. And at the very least, it will save a ton of energy. A famous cycling quote goes along the lines of 'it's not who's fastest who wins, it's who has the most energy at the end who wins'. It's pretty significant. (Also worth noting: the average person can average 100-150w over an hour.)

  2. Unfortunately there's no information by 93+Escort+Wagon · · Score: 2, Informative

    Let me sum it up for you - here's the sum total of facts, all details included, from the article.

    "A motor was found"

    That's pretty much it.

    --
    #DeleteChrome
    1. Re:Unfortunately there's no information by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      Some more facts were published meanwhile. The bike in which the motor was found was not the bike she used in the race. But they found it in her supply tent. There are claims that a person from her entourage put the bike there after cleaning it, because he thought it was her bike, but in reality it was one of hers that she sold to a friend some time ago.

  3. Re:What's the deal... by linforcer · · Score: 3, Informative

    She. Not only does summary mention that this is the "Women's under 23", amusingly her first name is Femke which literally means "girl" or "little woman" (see French "femme")

  4. Re:First? by whoever57 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Different rider, but look what happens to the bike after the fall. https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

    --
    The real "Libtards" are the Libertarians!
  5. Re:How much would it help? by Vegan+Cyclist · · Score: 4, Informative

    The bikes are about 16-18lbs. Even with the motor, just FYI. This technology already exists and you can read about it here: http://cyclingtips.com/2015/04/hidden-motors-for-road-bikes-exist-heres-how-they-work/

    This thing can put out 110w over an hour. And it would help over an hour, for sure. The average pro can put out 400-500w over an hour. Add 110w to that? It's HUGE. It could put mediocre pros on the podium.

    It's worth reading the article, there's a lot more to it too...her brother was also caught doping EPO. And claims it was her 'friends' bike...that just happened to get brought into the race. All pretty shady stuff.

  6. Re: What's the deal... by George_Ou · · Score: 3, Informative

    If they can fit battery, brushless controllers, and BLDC motors in a tiny 4 oz RC/Drone, they sure as hell can hide it inside a bike. A 100 watt ESP (Electronic Speed Control) can be extremely tiny and cheap. Do a quick search on Google or Hobbyking.

  7. Re:Could be very interesting technology by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    I think the market for electric bikes that sacrifice much performance for not looking like an electric bike from the outside is quite small. This thing is only 50-100w whereas you'd want at least 400w for a proper electric bike.

    Huh?

    • The market is huge (all those rich wankers that want to pose as professional riders and pay more than $8K AUD for their bikes). That's why Vivax, and others make good money.
    • That motor is 200W (which is more than your fat arse would deliver to the pedals).
    • Most countries put a 250W limit on ecycles - bigger motors make the bicycle a motorcycle.

    But don't let the fact that you are consistently wrong change anything.

  8. Re: What's the deal... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    Forgot link. 930W at 3.4 oz or 96 grams, 100W obviously smaller. Don't know why you're arguing this can't be done since it already happened. One 26550 with 15 watt hours is enough to drive a 100W motor 9 minutes which is a massive advantage.
    http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__24433__NTM_Rotor_Drive_450_Series_1700KV_930W.html

  9. Re: What's the deal... by Solandri · · Score: 4, Informative

    A pro competitor at Tour de France averages 450 watts. Casual fit rider averages 220. That means having a mere half a horse power would let the casual rider win the Tour de France

    For those weak at the unit conversion, there's a nice rhyme for remembering it.

    In fourteen-hundred and ninety-two,
    Columbus sailed the ocean blue,
    Divide the year of his voyage by two,
    And you get the number of Watts in a horsepower.