Electromagnetic wheels are the new frontier of mechanical doping, claims Gazzetta dello Sport

Image 1 of 2

Gazzetta dello Sport's graphic demonstrating how electromagnetic wheels work(Image credit: Gazzetta dello Sport)

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport has described a motor hidden in the seat tube and bottom bracket as ‘old doping’ suggesting that special wheels, able to produce 20-60 watts via electromagnetics and costing 200,000 Euro, are the most sophisticated form of mechanical doping currently in use in cycling.

What is mechanical doping?

UCI serious about mechanical doping but number of tests remain low

UCI investigates possible bike fraud at cyclo-cross Worlds

UCI confirms motorised doping uncovered at cyclo-cross World Championships

Femke Van den Driessche denies using motor at cyclo-cross World Championships

Wilier Triestina to take legal action after motor found in bike at cyclo-cross Worlds

Stephen is the most experienced member of the Cyclingnews team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. He has been Head of News at Cyclingnews since 2022, before which he held the position of European editor since 2012 and previously worked for Reuters, Shift Active Media, and CyclingWeekly, among other publications.