The Italian amateur cyclist alleged to have ridden a bike with a concealed motor at a race in Lombardy at the weekend has said that he couldn't hang around for officials to check it because he had a wedding to go to and that his improved performances in recent months are down to his recovery from a back injury. He also said he couldn't remember who sold him the bike, and raised suspicions on the riders who beat him at the race.
As we reported yesterday, a bike belonging to 53-year-old Alessandro Andreoli was among those checked at a race near Brescia on Saturday in which he finished third. Riders had been warned beforehand that the bikes of the first five finishers would be tested afterwards due to rumours that some riders in the region were using illegal mechanical assistance.
> Amateur cyclist in Italy caught using hidden motor during race
Race organisers had borrowed thermal imaging equipment that they said led to the discovery of a motor concealed in the seat post of his bike. It was reported that after agreeing to have the frame examined by a mechanic to ascertain whether there indeed was a motor hidden within it, he then made off, saying he would "suspend myself."
But speaking to Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport, he maintained his innocence and came out with a string of excuses.
He said he’d bought the bike in the Tuscan seaside town of Forte dei Marmi from a stranger.
“I don’t remember his name or even his telephone number,” he claimed. “We met in the street, I liked the bike, I made him an offer, and bought it.”
Asked why he didn’t accompany the race judges to have the bike checked out, he said that he was running late for a wedding.
When the newspaper questioned him about the improvement in his performances in recent months, he said: “I had a bad back. Now it’s cured, and I’m training well.”
The Gazzetta dello Sport asked him if he could explain why he had been excluded from the result of the race.
“Um .. I don’t know,” he said. “Maybe because they say I had a motor? So also, the riders who finished with me had a motor. I saw lots of them who were in front of me who weren’t having to make much of an effort.”
The president of the Costa Volpino team that Andreoli was riding for didn’t mince his words, however.
Alfio Bettoni runs a bike shop founded by his father in 1974, and said: “We’ve always been honest and followed the law, we’re honest business and sports people.
“Andreoli used to be a good customer, but since he got this bike a few months ago, we’ve not seen him.”
He said that when he spoke to Andreoli after news of the alleged hidden motor broke, the rider “denied everything.”
He added that Andreoli called him later, asking him if he was worried. “Nothing’s happened that concerns you,” he was told. “It’s solely my fault.”
Bettoni said: “He took me for a total idiot. This morning [ie Monday] my lawyer is back from holiday and I will go straight to him.”
Initial reports were that the bike was from the Argon 18 brand, but the company has said that after studying photos, the geometry does not match any of its models and that decals purporting it to be one of its bikes have been added.
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23 comments
it's like watching godfather no 4...
We met in the street, I liked the bike, I made him an offer, and bought it. It was a great deal. Totally NOT a Russian bike.
It was definitely not this blatant, but i might be lying...
The motor doping I can live with... but counterfeiting a brand like Argon18 is unforgiveable!
are Argon decals normally straight or with that slight off-centre look to them?
Electric motor and a replica Argon. Are there no depths to this man's depravity?
I hope he gets away with it.
Authorities should have confiscated the bike at the time. What proof do they have now?
People who cheat are generally not the most honest of folk... therefore it is foolish to expect them to come clean when confronted.
I don't - surely refusing to have his bike inspected is an admission of guilt, especially if informed beforehand that those finishing in such a place would be tested.
Would like to see him receive a standard bike to do the course again, if he can get within 10% of his time then fair play...
Best list of excuses since the Blues Brothers
Neat job there. I think I need this bike. Guess I'll have to ride around in Italy until I bump into the mystery seller.
looks like quite a lot of bike to have simply bought off a man on the street!!!
i like the stealth button to activate the motor!!
You know, the whole tone of the article implies that you might not think he's telling the complete truth, here...
Is it just me, or is the Trump phenomenon, not forgetting our own glorious leaders of course, giving people permission to lie? If they can lie bare-faced in front of millions, why shouldn't I?
Just you. I'm pretty sure people were lying pre-Trump.
Undoubtedly, but was it ever this gloriously blatant, practically begging to be found out?
It must be tough going through life equating everything that happens to the political world. Dearest these vegetables are over cooked, much like todays education policy announcment...
Meanwhile, back in the world of cycling. A knock off Argon18 with a motor? Where are these extra photos?
Here's a pic of the bike in question, Argon 18 w/ DA9150. To be fair it doesn't look like anything in Argons range but I have no idea what it is:
Yeah, definitely. And Brexit, or something.
Seems like a legit, well thought out excuse. Clearly finished fast as he was in a rush to get to the wedding on time. The un-named street seller probably forced him to buy it.
...and the money was handed over in a sealed brown Jiffy bag that had been flown in from Manchester via various European countries...
Haha amazing how you could say that with a straight face brilliant!
Mama packa da bag
amazing scenes. Next he'll be claiming his son is actually his nephew