Chris Froome: 'My bikes have been checked for hidden motors a dozen times'
British Tour de France champion Chris Froome backs more checks for concealed electric motors
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Tour de France champion Chris Froome has said that his bikes have been dismantled and checked for concealed electric motors on at least a dozen occasions, and he backs more checks for 'mechanical doping' in future.
Talking ahead of the Herald Sun Tour in Australia this week, the 30-year-old British Team Sky rider gave his take on the news that a bike had been discovered to contain a hidden motor at the Cyclocross World Championships in Belgium at the weekend.
"For the last few years now, there have been rumours about motors being concealed within the bikes," said Froome.
"Over the last couple of seasons, my bike has been checked and dismantled at least a dozen times."
Froome's bike was one of those examined during the 2015 Tour, which he went on to win.
>>> Everything you need to know about the motorised doping scandal
Cycle sport's governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), has taken the rumours of hidden motors seriously since they surfaced in 2010. It was via a newly-introduced electromagnetic field detector to back up visual checks that the electric motor was discovered in under-23 racer Femke Van den Driessche's bike in Belgium.
"They [the UCI] are taking the threat seriously and, hopefully, this will mean they only increase the number of checks they do on the WorldTour level," said Froome.
"At the moment, we only have rumours to go on," he said.
"All I can hope is the authorities take this matter really seriously and implement more and more random controls - throughout cycling.
>>> Owner of electric bike seized during Cyclocross World Championships revealed
"That's the only way forward; the same way that the authorities have approached doping."
Now that the UCI has found a concealed motor in a bike at a top-level competition, proving that the technology not only exists but is in use, the level of checks are likely to increase.
At a press conference held after the discovery of the concealed motor in Belgium, UCI president Brian Cookson said: "Technological fraud is unacceptable. We want the minority who may consider cheating to know that, increasingly there is no place to hide, and sooner or later they will pay for the damage they’re causing to our sport."
Under UCI rules, Van den Driessche now faces a minimum six month suspension and a fine ranging from 20,000 to 200,000 Swiss Francs (£13,700 to £137,000) despite a Belgian man claiming that the bike belonged to him.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, n exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
-
Campagnolo's redesigned Hyperon wheels promise you the 'magic ratio of performance'
The Italian climbing hoops return as a disc-brake all-rounder that at a little over 1,200g are still plenty light
By Luke Friend • Published
-
Nebraska to host the inaugural USA Cycling Gravel National Championship
A stars and stripes jersey is up for grabs alongside the largest gravel prize purse in American cycling history and entry into Gravel Worlds
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
CW Live: Chris Froome targets return to 'top level'; UCI tightens ITT rules; Strava responds to price hike criticism; Topless protesters arrested at TDU; Tributes paid to Lieuwe Westra; Scott recalls 'cracking' bikes; Toon Aerts the PE teacher
The latest news in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
CW LIVE: Wout van Aert and Shirin van Anrooij win cyclo-cross in Koksijde; Rapha unveil EF Education kits; Police search for two suspects in Mark Cavendish robbery; Paris-Nice route announced; Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas to ride Tour Down Under
All the latest in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson • Last updated
-
Egan Bernal has nose operation to help 'air passage' ahead of 2023
Procedure not thought to be connected to the life-threatening crash which affected Colombian last year
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tweets of the week: Ineos Grenadiers' three wise men, team jersey déjà vu and World Cup celebrations by bike
Here's our social media round-up, featuring a cycling all-star nativity
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Tweets of the week: Chris Froome has GoPro problems, and Geraint Thomas grits roads
It might be cold outside, but these hot posts should keep you warm
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers sign their first female rider
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot reported to be joining new Ineos mountain bike team, alongside Tom Pidcock
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Remco Evenepoel transfer to Ineos Grenadiers is ‘too stupid for words’ says Patrick Lefevere
Lefevere revealed he has been laughing at speculation around the new world champion
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers sign unknown 18-year-old Michael Leonard
Canadian is the latest young rider to join the British squad
By Adam Becket • Published