mə-kæn-i-kəl ˈdoʊ-pɪŋ
Noun
The use of electrical motors to illegally assist cyclists in races.
Example usage: The cyclist was disqualified for mechanical-doping.
Most used in: Professional cycling races.
Most used by: Professional cyclists.
Popularity: 8/10
Comedy Value: 0/10
Also see: motorized doping, hidden motor, motorized cheating, secret motor,
What is Mechanical Doping?
Mechanical doping is a term used to describe the use of hidden motors on bicycles in an effort to gain an unfair advantage in competitive cycling events. This type of cheating has been around since 2010 when it was first reported in the Tour de France, and has been a growing problem in the sport ever since.
The motors used in mechanical doping are typically small and battery-powered, and are hidden in the frame of the bicycle. These motors can provide a boost of up to 400 watts of extra power, which is enough to give a cyclist a significant advantage over their competitors. The motors can also be controlled by a smartphone or remote control, allowing the cyclist to activate them at just the right moment.
Mechanical doping has been a major issue for cycling in recent years. In 2017, the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) conducted more than 6,000 tests for mechanical doping, and found over 20 cases of it being used in professional races. The UCI has continued to crack down on this type of cheating, and has introduced more stringent testing procedures in order to detect it.
Mechanical doping is a serious problem for competitive cycling, and it has the potential to ruin the integrity of the sport. The UCI is working hard to ensure that this type of cheating does not go unpunished, and that all cyclists compete on a level playing field.
Mechanical-Doping: The Origins of Cycling's Biggest Scandal
The term “mechanical-doping” was first used in October 2015 in the context of professional cycling. It refers to the process of using a hidden electric motor concealed in the frame of a bicycle to gain an illegal advantage over other competitors. It was first reported in the Belgian newspaper, Het Nieuwsblad, when the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) had to investigate a professional cyclist from Belgium for suspected use of a hidden motor.
The UCI was quick to react and began using technological methods to detect hidden motors in bikes, such as thermal imaging cameras and magnetic resonance testing. In January 2016, the UCI announced that they had found a hidden motor in a bike used in a professional cyclocross race. This was the first official case of mechanical-doping in professional cycling, and the UCI set up a permanent bike-testing program to ensure that the integrity of the sport was maintained.
Since then, the UCI has continued to take a hard stance on mechanical-doping, trying to ensure that the sport remains fair and free from cheating. The term “mechanical-doping” is now widely used in the cycling world, and the UCI’s efforts have gone a long way in ensuring that the sport remains clean.
