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UCI tests can’t detect some hidden motors, claims reportUCI checking Tinkoff bike for hidden motor (source Facebook video still).JPG

UCI tests can’t detect some hidden motors, claims report

Current equipment is unable to find motors hidden in rear wheels, according to multinational media investigation
by Simon_MacMichael
Mon, Sep 04, 2017 17:16
10

Tests conducted by world cycling’s governing body, the UCI, are unable to detect some forms of hidden motors, according to a media investigation.

TV channel France 2 and Italian newspaper La Corriere della Sera which have both previously collaborated in investigating so-called ‘technological fraud’ partnered with German broadcaster ARD for their latest report.

Their report claims that the UCI’s current method of trying to detect hidden motors, which involves a bespoke iPad app that seeks to detect electromagnetic waves, cannot find the latest type of concealed motors, which are believed to be hidden within rear wheel rims.

The only instance of a hidden motor being found in competition happened at the UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships in Zolder, Belgium in 2016.

The motor was found in a bike belonging to the Belgian under-23 rider, Femke Van Den Driessche, but was an older type that was housed in the seat tube.

In a statement, the UCI said that it had carried out more than 40,000 tests for hidden motors in the past two years.

“The main testing method currently used by the UCI, magnetic resistance scanning, has proved to be highly effective both in tests and in actual use,” it said.

“Like any testing equipment, our scanners must be used correctly to be effective,” the UCI continued.

“We provide extensive training to our operators on how to use the equipment and how to interpret the results. It is clear that the people using our device in Sunday’s Stade 2 report had had no training.

“We have, immediately following the report, offered to meet with them to demonstrate how to use our scanners effectively.”

The governing body added: “Thermal imaging has been used on a number of occasions and can be useful, but is limited as it would only detect a motor when in use, or shortly after use when a motor is warm.

“‎We also occasionally use X-ray, but this is relatively slow, requires a great deal of space to ensure public safety, and is subject to widely varying legislation from country to country.”

The report comes two weeks before the UCI World Congress in Norway votes on whether to give Brian Cookson a second term as president or to replace him with France’s David Lappartient, who has made fighting motor doping a key electoral promise.

Lappartient, meanwhile, has called for preventative checks on team bikes which would be marked to show they had been checked.

“It’s not a witch hunt,” he said; “It’s the certainty that the system is safeguarded from the most underhand kind of doping.”

motor doping
uci
Simon MacMichael

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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10 comments

Avatar
markfireblade | 7 years ago
1 like

Don't the UCI have post-race random bike dismantling/checking, like in motorcycle racing, where even an engine might be stripped to check it's within the class rules?

If not, why not?

 

Avatar
1961BikiE | 7 years ago
3 likes

Could it be that the wheel based motor system is undetectable because they don't exist? Has anyone anywhere demonstrated such a system working? From my mid-level scientific/engineering background I have to say such a system would be, imho, far more complex than the hidden seattube motors. You'd require special wheel rims and a special frame. And to be honest I'd imagine that if we assume the rim contains permanent magnets and the frame the electrical magnets to drive the wheel, as the distance from the stator and rotor is relatively large you'd need to generate a pretty massive electromagnetic field to get drive. This would be 1. Pretty inefficient, 2. Such a big magnetic field that probably you could detect it with a compass/piece of steel on a string. Demonstrate one to me, with a rider on board and I'll consider detection needs to be investigated.

Corollary; I'm by no means an expert but pretty good understanding of basic physics plus 40 years working in a technical/engineering background informs my POV.

Avatar
Canyon48 replied to 1961BikiE | 7 years ago
1 like

1961BikiE wrote:

Could it be that the wheel based motor system is undetectable because they don't exist? Has anyone anywhere demonstrated such a system working? From my mid-level scientific/engineering background I have to say such a system would be, imho, far more complex than the hidden seattube motors. You'd require special wheel rims and a special frame. And to be honest I'd imagine that if we assume the rim contains permanent magnets and the frame the electrical magnets to drive the wheel, as the distance from the stator and rotor is relatively large you'd need to generate a pretty massive electromagnetic field to get drive. This would be 1. Pretty inefficient, 2. Such a big magnetic field that probably you could detect it with a compass/piece of steel on a string. Demonstrate one to me, with a rider on board and I'll consider detection needs to be investigated. Corollary; I'm by no means an expert but pretty good understanding of basic physics plus 40 years working in a technical/engineering background informs my POV.

You don't necessarily need magnets in a wheel to make a working motor (makes it much easier though).

Using an aluminium wheel or aluminium embedded in carbon a wheel, a shaded pole motor can be made surprisingly easy. The chain stays could be used as a location for the coils with the wheel acting as a the disc/rotor

As carbon fibre is a fantastic conductor a coil could theoretically be made from carbon fibre, thus having no magnetic signature when not in use.

Like you said, I doubt it would be very efficient. The physics works in theory at least, whether it works in practice (in a bicycle) is yet to be seen - at least publically...

Avatar
Yorkshire wallet replied to 1961BikiE | 7 years ago
0 likes

1961BikiE wrote:

I'm by no means an expert but pretty good understanding of basic physics plus 40 years working in a technical/engineering background informs my POV.

Pah, what would you know! French TV says it's true, so there! Team Sky
tricheurs etc.
 

Avatar
rkemb replied to 1961BikiE | 7 years ago
0 likes

1961BikiE wrote:

Could it be that the wheel based motor system is undetectable because they don't exist? Has anyone anywhere demonstrated such a system working?

Yes, it's been demonstrated. The problem is that the frame has to wrap around the wheel to a very obvious extent to get good power transfer...

Avatar
wycombewheeler | 7 years ago
1 like

Marking the bikes when the issue is the wheels? Because no one has ever swapped wheels on a bike in a race?
Or will riders only be allowed to get a spare wheel from neutral service, in the event of a puncture?

Avatar
check12 | 7 years ago
1 like

"Lappartient, meanwhile, has called for preventative checks on team bikes which would be marked to show they had been checked."

at last a foolproof system! /facepalm

Avatar
Must be Mad | 7 years ago
3 likes

OK, I'm commentating without seeing the article...

But...

"cannot find the latest type of concealed motors, which are believed to be hidden within rear wheel rims"

Does this mean that said media companies had such a bike to test with the scanner?? Beacuse rather than mess about with a scanner - if they really cared about doing something positive about technological fraud, it would be really useful if the simply showed the flipping bike... All this 'wink, wink' business does sound a bit crackpot conspiracy. An actual working 'wheel motor' bike (indistinguishable from a normal racing bike) would be the 'smoking gun' this story needs for credibility.

Avatar
Mungecrundle | 7 years ago
2 likes

Give the UCI the right to impound,dismantle and inspect any bicycle used in a race and make the penalty for being caught something draconian.

E.g rider banned for life on first offence. Team banned from competition for 5 seasons. Team director banned from involvement with any cycling team in any capacity for 5 years. Likewise team mechanic responsible for the machine.

Avatar
Yorkshire wallet | 7 years ago
0 likes

Lost credibility once it came from 2 TV stations.

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