Despite the fact that no cases of hidden engines in bicycles have been recorded, beyond that of the Belgian cyclo-cross rider who was detected at the 2016 cyclo-cross world championships, and that the UCI maintains constant in-competition checks of the peloton’s bikes, cycling’s highest body continues to insist on the importance of monitoring technological doping and not leaving the slightest margin to those who try to cheat with this method.
To reinforce this work, the UCI has put American Nicholas Raudenski, who until now was part of the International Testing Agency, an independent body responsible for the UCI’s anti-doping operations, in the role of Head of Intelligence and Investigations, in charge of the Fight Against Technological Fraud. Previously, Nicholas Raudenski was a criminal investigator for 23 years in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Raudenski’s mission as head of Anti-Technological Fraud will be to strengthen the UCI’s program against mechanical doping, optimizing available resources and devising new ways of detection as well as, of course, investigating all allegations and reports that come to them about this type of cheating.
UCI President David Lappartient highlighted Nicholas Raudenski’s experience in investigative and intelligence work: “He will be a great asset in ensuring the highest ethical standards and that everyone understands that there is no fraudulent use of motorers or any other activity that violates UCI rules in cycling”.
For his part, Nicholas Raudenski commented after learning of his appointment “I am delighted to join the UCI and contribute to the fight against technological fraud. I look forward to using my knowledge and experience to support one of the UCI’s core missions: ensuring the integrity of cycling.”
Of vital importance to Nicholas Raudenski’s work will be the UCI SpeakUp platform, a secure platform available to any member of the cycling world: riders, organizers and all those involved in the sport through which they can confidentially share any information or suspicions about actions that undermine the integrity of cycling.
Source: www.uci.ch y www.brujulabike.com