Belgian cyclist banned for six years for using power motor

Geneva, April 27: The International Cycling Union (UCI) has banned Belgian rider Femke van den Driessche for six years for using a hidden electric motor at the cyclo-cross world championships.

Driessche, former under-23 European cyclo-cross champion, was found with a motor "concealed along with a battery in the seat-tube" at the world Under-23 race in Belgium in January, and the motor "was controlled by a Bluetooth switch installed underneath the handlebar tape," according to the global governing body of cycling.

All the results of the 19-year-old cyclist from October last year have been stripped. She was ordered to return all prize money and medals, reports Xinhua news agency.