Bottom Bracket Motors *are* possible. Someone just got caught using one at CX Worlds!
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Bottom Bracket Motors *are* possible. Someone just got caught using one at CX Worlds!
No effing way!
I had no idea this was actually possible and feasible:
https://www.cxmagazine.com/motor-mec...onships-update
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/201...-championships
How is this related to track? Track time trials are won and lost by the smallest margins of any cycling sport. Any slight advantage (or disadvantage) is magnified on the velodrome.
Bike-check just got a lot longer
I had no idea this was actually possible and feasible:
Update: UCI confirms the presence of a motor on Femke Van den Driessche’s bike in Sunday’s press conference, and U23 bronze medalist Quinten Hermans weighs in. More details below.
Greg Lemond, Davide Cassani and other industry vets have warned us it’s already happening, but at the 2016 Cyclocross World Championships, we saw the first-ever potential case of “mechanical doping” in the form of a motorized bike, and it electrified the cyclocross and cycling community:
Greg Lemond, Davide Cassani and other industry vets have warned us it’s already happening, but at the 2016 Cyclocross World Championships, we saw the first-ever potential case of “mechanical doping” in the form of a motorized bike, and it electrified the cyclocross and cycling community:
Almost six years since the first allegations of “mechanical doping” in cycling, on Saturday a hidden booster motor was finally found in a bicycle being used at a major event, when an inspector at the world cyclo-cross championships in Zolder, Belgium, located a small motor in the bottom bracket of a machine reportedly belonging to the pre-race favourite in the women’s under-23 event, the European champion Femke van den Driessche of Belgium.
How is this related to track? Track time trials are won and lost by the smallest margins of any cycling sport. Any slight advantage (or disadvantage) is magnified on the velodrome.
Bike-check just got a lot longer
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ZOLDER, Belgium (VN) — In what appears to be a first in cycling, the International Cycling Union confirmed that it had impounded the bike of Belgian rider Femke van den Driessche following the women’s under-23 championship race Saturday. Van den Driessche was a pre-race favorite, thanks to solid results in the World Cup and a stunning second-place finish at the Koppenbergcross, one of the most difficult races on the calendar, in November.
“After one lap of the world championships, UCI took Femke’s bike in the pit area and tested it with some sort of tablet,” said Sporza journalist Maarten Vangramberen. “The bike was immediately sealed and taken. The UCI then called in the Belgian federation. When the saddle was removed, there were electrical cables in the seat tube. When they wanted to remove the bottom bracket, which is normally not difficult, they could not because the crank was stuck. Inside there was a motor.”
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I knew it sombody would do this.
With current technology, it's so easy to hide batteries and motors
With current technology, it's so easy to hide batteries and motors
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This. Changes. Everything.
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Probably the Vivax-Assist (formerly known as Gruber-Assist): vivax Assist, Gruber Assist E-Bikes (Fahrradantriebe, Elektrorad )
It has been around for years.
It has been around for years.
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I honestly never thought it would be worth the effort. Like, IF it worked, the mechanical advantage would be so minor that it wouldn't be worth the trouble. Plus maybe it would add drag to the system being that we spend so much money trying to get near frictionless bearings.
This. Changes. Everything.
This. Changes. Everything.
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They didn't catch her using it btw, just in a pit bike. The national coach threw her under the bus but the party line from her and her crew is that it was a friend's bike. I don't buy that though.
Also, even 25 watts or so over 45 minutes is pretty significant.
Also, even 25 watts or so over 45 minutes is pretty significant.
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Seems like the available information is pretty contradictory at the moment. Guessing this won't be sorted out for a few days at least.
#9
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WOW!!! If the UCI has a detection methodology, then this must have known its been going on for awhile.
I remember 30+ years ago, my teammates and I were a huddled-up in our coach's van on a freezing windy day between stages of a stage race. One of my teammates declared he was done with bike racing and was going to start motorcycle racing. He said if you want to go faster, just flick the wrist and vroom you accelerate. If you want to climb a mountain, just flick the wrist and go vroom. We all had a good laugh. This article made me realize that he was a visionary? BTW, 30+ years later, 3 out of the 4 guys from the stage race squad are still racing together on the same team.
I remember 30+ years ago, my teammates and I were a huddled-up in our coach's van on a freezing windy day between stages of a stage race. One of my teammates declared he was done with bike racing and was going to start motorcycle racing. He said if you want to go faster, just flick the wrist and vroom you accelerate. If you want to climb a mountain, just flick the wrist and go vroom. We all had a good laugh. This article made me realize that he was a visionary? BTW, 30+ years later, 3 out of the 4 guys from the stage race squad are still racing together on the same team.
#10
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Anyone racing at this level has all of their T's crossed and I's dotted. That bike wasn't in the pits by happenstance as is claimed. Her older brother is also serving out a ban for EPO.
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Probably the Vivax-Assist (formerly known as Gruber-Assist): vivax Assist, Gruber Assist E-Bikes (Fahrradantriebe, Elektrorad )
It has been around for years.
It has been around for years.
The team mechanic knows what every piece of kit is and where it is that pit.
We all know when we pick up our bikes if it's 1KG heavier. You can switch from race wheels down to training wheels and feel a smaller weight difference.
They all knew.
I wonder how the app does what it does. It has to use some sort of external 3rd-party sensor because the built in senors on an iPad are limited to a gyroscope, sound (mic), light (camera), bluetooth, wifi, cellular, and compass.
Wow.
Last edited by carleton; 02-01-16 at 03:26 AM.
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Agree, for sure. I'm sure she was gonna jump on it to finish after her A bike packed up with mud. Interesting that she dnf'd from a mechanical on her a bike though. Wonder why she didn't take her b bike?
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Maybe the A bike goes through normal bike check and they didn't expect the B bike to be checked.
Maybe the plan was to
- Start on the A bike
- Have an "Ooopsie" mechanical on an early lap
- Run into the pits, grab the B bike
- Profit
Maybe she DNF'd after the A bike went down when she got word that they were sniffing around her B bike.
It's worth noting that if she actually grabbed the B bike and entered the course, there would be no doubt that she intended to use that bike...nullifying the "It's my friend's bike. I would have never used that bike!" defense
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My guess is they use some kind of induction sensor, similar to a redlight sensor in the road. Or, perhaps a magnetic sensor. It is possible that the motor could be picked up on a normal antenna, but I'm thinking maybe an external sensor.
At this point, I think one should wait for the final UCI ruling.
So far I haven't seen anything discussing the battery in the bike. Perhaps it is just assumed, but without a battery, there is no boost. I could imagine a training partner using electric assist.
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GOOD POINT!!
Maybe the A bike goes through normal bike check and they didn't expect the B bike to be checked.
Maybe the plan was to
- Start on the A bike
- Have an "Ooopsie" mechanical on an early lap
- Run into the pits, grab the B bike
- Profit
Maybe she DNF'd after the A bike went down when she got word that they were sniffing around her B bike.
It's worth noting that if she actually grabbed the B bike and entered the course, there would be no doubt that she intended to use that bike...nullifying the "It's my friend's bike. I would have never used that bike!" defense
Maybe the A bike goes through normal bike check and they didn't expect the B bike to be checked.
Maybe the plan was to
- Start on the A bike
- Have an "Ooopsie" mechanical on an early lap
- Run into the pits, grab the B bike
- Profit
Maybe she DNF'd after the A bike went down when she got word that they were sniffing around her B bike.
It's worth noting that if she actually grabbed the B bike and entered the course, there would be no doubt that she intended to use that bike...nullifying the "It's my friend's bike. I would have never used that bike!" defense
I guess the UCI has magnetic scanners on their I pads now though? Jeremy Powers mechanic posted a video, but I'm on my phone.
#16
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Guessing by some of the comments you guys don't race or watch CX...
Said to have used thermal imaging. It was around 4 degrees Celsius on the day of the race, so expect it could show clearly...
As to bike swaps, often racers with have a extra bike with a larger front chain ring specifically for the critical start before swapping bikes a few laps in. Depending on the conditions, riders will swap bikes numerous times and won't require a mechanical to make a swap.
Back to track discussions please. CX is > Cyclocross Racing
As to bike swaps, often racers with have a extra bike with a larger front chain ring specifically for the critical start before swapping bikes a few laps in. Depending on the conditions, riders will swap bikes numerous times and won't require a mechanical to make a swap.
Back to track discussions please. CX is > Cyclocross Racing
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It's mountain biking using a road bike with knobbies, right?
Ah! Thanks! That explains it. I've seen this device in the Apple Store in Atlanta for $250USD: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HJ...thermal-imager
Yeah, I posted it here with this disclaimer:
The most obviously easy abuse would be in a pursuit. Riding a 4K with up to 200W boost would prove enormous. Of course, the smart cheater would simply stay within a prescribed pace to not arouse suspicion and only win by a few seconds.
Hell, even events as short as the Kilo would benefit from a boost during that dreadful last 250M.
So, the real question isn't so much will this turn up at Track Worlds or the Olympics...but Masters Nationals or Worlds. Masters racers have more money to spend on gadgets and less to lose if they get caught.
Back to track discussions please. CX is > Cyclocross Racing
How is this related to track? Track time trials are won and lost by the smallest margins of any cycling sport. Any slight advantage (or disadvantage) is magnified on the velodrome.
Hell, even events as short as the Kilo would benefit from a boost during that dreadful last 250M.
So, the real question isn't so much will this turn up at Track Worlds or the Olympics...but Masters Nationals or Worlds. Masters racers have more money to spend on gadgets and less to lose if they get caught.
#18
Lapped 3x
Also, if you watch the Hesjedal video, one of the follow up vids is in Spanish and demonstrates how a spinning rear wheel will continue to spin and drive the bike in a circle around the wheel.
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how about instead of banning motors, just accept it and control it. Imagine a scratch race where everyone has a 5 second boost button they could use at some point in the race. Or a points race where instead of points, you get a few seconds of your motor back. Like KERS in F1.
Id watch that
In serious, if the UCI has been checking for it, and they have, there must have been a good chance to see it. and if there is incentive to cheat, someone always will, regardless of the consequence.
Id watch that
In serious, if the UCI has been checking for it, and they have, there must have been a good chance to see it. and if there is incentive to cheat, someone always will, regardless of the consequence.
#22
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So the people with the least to gain (no lucrative pro contracts) are the most likely to cheat? Yeah, I guess that sounds about right for the super competitive, but for the rest of us, we are just following our doctor's orders to get healthier... or else.
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The fact that they do test at Masters Nationals and Worlds and catch people is proof enough that people are more than willing to break the rules to win. Masters racers spend a decent of money annually for their hobby and some spend A LOT more than others. The urge to "buy speed" is palpable.
Man, this is as real as it gets when it comes to "buying speed" in the sport of cycling. No custom carbon frame, wind tunnel testing, coach, fancy wheels, etc... can give you the results that this motor can. That temptation will be too hard for some to resist.
Human nature is human nature. It takes A LOT of blood, sweat, tears, and money to get to the top of this sport in any division (Jr, Elite, or Masters). There will always be people who are willing to break the rules to win if they think they can get away with it. From a local card game to the highest levels of sport, it happens and will continue to happen.
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With Masters racing, there is the dream of reclaiming one's youth. So, steroids, testosterone, and EPO may be used by some.
Riding a motorcycle in a bike race may not have the same appeal.
Riding a motorcycle in a bike race may not have the same appeal.
#25
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