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Tour de France To Use Thermal Cameras To Spot Cheats (npr.org)
An anonymous reader writes: At this year's Tour de France, thermal cameras and various other tools will be used to detect "mechanical doping." The image tests can be done anywhere and their locations will not be publicized, according to officials. NPR reports: "As far back as at least 2010, accusations have flown that elite cyclists were turning in superhuman performances with the help of motors that are hidden inside their bike's seat tube. Commercial versions of such devices can provide a steady power stream of around 200 watts -- the lower range of a pro cyclist's average output in a stage race. They can also be set to assist riders automatically if their pedaling cadence falls below a certain threshold. Tour de France officials explain how the detection system will work: 'Developed by the CEA (the French Atomic Energy Commission), the method consists of using a thermal imaging camera capable of detecting mechanical anomalies on the riders' bikes. The checks can be made in the race and on the side of the roads.'"
What metal? Road racing bikes are all carbon fiber now.
If we gonna pretend to try to stop all of the cheating in professional sports we might as well do away with professional sports.
I'm an American. I love this country and the freedoms that we used to have.
No Tour de France bicycle has steel tubing.
You are welcome on my lawn.
Cancel the event for the next ten years. It's a sham anyway.
This. A lot of professional sports, from baseball to wrestling, have systemic doping....the difference is cycling has clamped down on it, where many others still turn a blind eye. When they look, they'll find it as well.