the essential
On the sidelines of the cycling world championships in Zurich, the UCI unveiled a brand new “rewards program”. A novelty which aims to pay informants informed about potential fraud such as the installation of motors in bicycles.
“A rewards program” to fight against technological fraud. This is the unconventional measure announced by the International Cycling Union (UCI) this Friday, September 27. The body continues its hunt for attempts at cheating, such as the use of a motor in bicycles.
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Cheaters can be discreet. The program takes effect immediately. From this day on, the UCI will pay any informant who informs it about such actions. The goal of this program: “To encourage people with information on this subject to communicate it,” writes the authority in a press release.
Different types of rewards
In practice, sources will have the choice of remaining anonymous or revealing their identity. Even if in certain cases, the UCI may request the lifting of confidentiality. Reports can be made on the SpeakUp platform.
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The rewards given to “snitches” could take different forms including the classic “financial aid”. More surprisingly, “articles or access to events” may also be offered. These rewards will be paid “after verification of the relevance and reliability of the information provided”. Their content will depend on the importance of the given pipe.
As a reminder, despite multiple suspicions of technological fraud, only one case was detected. The facts date back to 2016, during the U21 cyclo-cross world championships. At the time, Belgian Femke Van den Driessche was suspended for six years.
