Brailsford denies Chris Froome's lack of attacks is due to motor checks
When posed a question about motorised doping, Sir Dave Brailsford insisted you'd have to be stupid to use a motor at the Tour de France
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

In a bizarre moment in the Team Sky rest day press conference, team principal Sir Dave Brailsford insisted rumours of Tour de France leader Chris Froome having a motor in his bike was ridiculous.
The UCI is using numerous methods of detection in the race, including thermal imaging, and it is also thought that x-ray machines were being used at the top of the summit finish on stage nine.
When Froome was posed a question asking whether his lack of big attacks in the Pyrénées was a result of the increased checks for motors in bikes at this year's race, Brailsford stepped in.
"Finding an engine in a bike is a pretty simple thing to do in this day and age," Brailsford said.
"The technology used to beam the [TV] pictures up to the satellite is a lot more complex, and used on a day-to-day basis, than finding a motor in a bike. You just need the right tech to find it. You’ve either got an engine in your bike or you haven’t."
Watch highlights of stage nine of the 2016 Tour de France
It's unsure whether the accusation was that Froome didn't want to be caught with a motor this year, or that he had used one in previous years, but either way it didn't go down well with the Sky boss.
Officials check hundreds of bikes - race and spares - before and after each stage, with no positive results for motors in road racing since the increase in suspicion this spring.
Following the discovery of a motor in U23 cyclo-cross racer Femke van den Driessche's bike in February, suspicions have been high that the technology was prevalent in road racing.
A motorbike passenger with a thermal imaging camera has been scanning bikes while the race is in progress this year, with Steve Cummings subjected to the test as he sped off the peloton on his victorious stage seven ride.
People from the industry gave us their thoughts on motor doping
"[Froome's] bike has been tested more than everyone else’s, we get tested every day and we actually had an email from the UCI saying thank you for being the most cooperative team out of everybody when it comes to bike checks and mechanical checking," Brailsford continued.
"If someone is stupid enough come here with a motor in their bike for sure they will get caught."
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
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
-
Bikes of the Atlas Mountain Race: from comfort gravellers to speed weapons, here’s what caught our eye
Covering 1,300km / 800mi of Morocco’s gravel roads and mountain passes, the Atlas Mountain Race demands a tech-heavy approach for its 3+ days of bikepacking racing
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
British champion Cameron Mason hoping for rain at Cyclo-cross World Championships
British national champion says patience will be the key in what’s expected to be a fast race in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Global backers in talks over new British WorldTour team
Former management of Ribble Weldtite courting interest in new project
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I remember the crowds more than anything': Tom Pidcock recalls his Alpe d'Huez Tour de France stage win
Our male rider of the year, Tom Pidcock, talks us through the highs and lows of his 2022 campaign
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Leo Hayter, Cycling Weekly's rising star of 2022, talks through his season in the spotlight
We caught up with the winner of the "Baby Giro" to hear all about the win in Italy and his dream move to Ineos Grenadiers
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers release 'visibly fast' 2023 jersey
Navy is replaced with red as British team changes its look
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Chris Froome highlights dangers of long Covid after battle with virus
Four-time Tour de France champion warns of cardiovascular impact and says his VO2 max took a hit after illness
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘It’s a good thing and shows progression of the sport’ - Ben Swift hails changes at British Cycling academy
Ineos Grenadier says putting academy riders in with development teams will encourage development of many skills
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I know I can do it so I need to make that next level': Ben Turner signs Ineos Grenadiers contract extension
The Classics and another Grand Tour are on the agenda for Doncaster's Big Ben
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published