Today from the AP we learn that Femke Van Den Driessche will not defend herself at a disciplinary hearing this week and is quitting the sport. Femke was accused of using a concealed motor in her bike during the Under-23 cyclocross world championships in January in Belgium. As we shared when the news broke, the scandal confirmed motor doping exists and the reaction was swift because you can’t blame cheating with motors in bikes as a personal failure, but instead one from the manufacturing side of the sport. To us, it was another indication of how endemic cheating is in cycling as all other sport; including tennis and Sharapova. The biggest problem is it’s another omertà.
Previous Coverage
- Motor Doping on PRI
- Motor Omerta: Motor Doping at CX Worlds
- Motorgate: Motor Doping Explained and UPDATED
Following Femke’s move, let’s hope the UCI shares what they found in her bike.
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