Belgian cyclo-cross rider Femke Van den Driessche has denied any knowledge of the motor that was discovered in her bike at the World Championships in Zolder on Saturday. In an emotional interview with Sporza, Van den Driessche – joined by her father - said that she had been surprised by its presence and said she was innocent.
“I didn’t know anything about it. I don’t know how that bike got there. I was surprised to see that bike standing there. It’s not my bike. There’s been a mistake,” she told the Belgian broadcaster Sporza. “There was nothing in the bike that I used at the start of the race. I train hard for it too, you know. Then it’s no fun to be accused like this.
“If I would’ve been on a bike like that I would’ve been more consistent. I’ve always peaked towards those moments. I worked really hard for it. I haven’t got anything to say about it but it’s really terrible.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The 19-year-old Van den Driessche found herself at the centre of a storm after the inaugural women’s under 23 race when the UCI found a motor inside the frame of her bike during routine checks. The Belgian press reported the finding of electrical cables in the seat post and a motor in the bottom bracket. She now faces at least a six-month ban and 20,000 Swiss franc fine, although the punishment could be much more severe than that.
“I hope they see the truth,” she said crying.
“I don’t know how it got there. I’m focused on myself on that day. I took care of myself. I was in front. At the back, the mechanics made a mistake,” Van den Driessche continued to profess her innocence. “They can check everything: all my cross bikes, all my road bikes. They will not find anything. I’m 100 per cent sure about it."
- UCI confirms motorised doping uncovered at cyclo-cross World Championships
- UCI investigates possible bike fraud at cyclo-cross Worlds
- UCI introduces new sanctions against motorised doping
- UCI to discuss 'motorised doping' issue
- What is mechanical doping?
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest News http://ift.tt/1QSTLd3
No comments:
Post a Comment