Giro d'Italia 2019: UCI reveals extensive magnetic scanning in fight against mechnical doping

A total of 1,312 tests were conducted at last month’s Giro

The new UCI mobile X-ray machine (AFP/Getty Images)

World cycling has revealed details of its extensive magnetic scanning at the recent Giro d’Italia as it steps up its fight against mechanical doping.

A total of 1,312 tests were conducted at last month’s Giro, which was won by Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz, as part of the Union Cycliste Internationale’s (UCI) plans to target the issue under its president David Lapprtient.

Magnetic scanning and X-ray technologies were deployed before and after every stage through the three-week Grand Tour, testing between four and 12 bikes on each stage, including those of the day's winner and the pink jersey holder. All test results came back negative.

The UCI has further plans for a tracker which can be fitted on to every bike on the peloton, and magnetic scanning tablets which can be deployed by national cycling federations, with both to be introduced next year.

“Since last year, we have at our disposal a robust set of methods to counter the risks of technological fraud that allows us to check bikes at the start and finish lines,” said Lappartient.

“Research projects are continuing and shall enable us to be equipped with new technologies that can monitor equipment anytime during the competitions. We’re aiming to ensure that the cycling community has confidence in the performances of our athletes.”

Belgian cyclo-cross rider Femke Van den Driessche remains the only competitive rider to have been banned for mechanical doping when she was caught with a motor in her bike during the 2016 UCI Cyclo-Cross World Championships. Van den Driessche was banned for six years and fined 20,000 Swiss Francs (£16,000).