6 ms·

This is a follow-up to discussions on "mechanical doping" in cycling. The first story I recall on this topic was in 2010: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010

by buro9 11y ago

This is a follow-up to discussions on "mechanical doping" in cycling. The first story I recall on this topic was in 2010: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/may/19/cycling-motors-mechanical-doping http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/may/19/cycling-motors-... This is now 6 years later, and we finally have the first pro cyclist banned based on being caught red-handed at an event with a motor in her bicycle. The type of motor she used was a Vivak, one of these: http://www.vivax-assist.com/en/produkte/vivax-assist-4-0/vivax-assist_4-0.php http://www.vivax-assist.com/en/produkte/vivax-assist-4-0/viv... though probably with a slightly modified button to make it more discreet.

Apofis 11y ago
Haha wow, for the Vivak, there's even a "Invisible Performance Package".
Xylakant 11y ago
"It was controlled by a Bluetooth switch installed underneath the handlebar tape." (in the article)
- shpx 11y ago
  They should install Bluetooth sniffers before steep sections, it would be cool to see a little ping on the radio and then watch one of the racers magically pull ahead.
  - chinathrow 11y ago
    Or Bluetooth jammers.
  - DINKDINK 11y ago
    how would you filter out Bluetooth signals that are and aren't cheating signals?
    - r00fus 11y ago
      By cross-correlating with performance shifts (ie, the pulling ahead comment above). It's not a smoking gun, but it could be evidence perhaps to do more thoroughly audit that bike, for example.
      - cmurf 11y ago
        The rider's strategy may be merely maintaining relative positioning with the top riders, save energy, and use that small reserve for a better chance in a sprint finish or whatever. It's no way certain someone just starts going faster using one of these.
  - methehack 11y ago
    While they're at it, they should make better humans.
    - methehack 11y ago
      My point here is that I have always found it so completely unfathomable that someone would spend so much time on an activity -- any activity -- and then cheat. Cheating is about looking better, not being better. At the same time, it robs others, equally devoted, of a fair basis of comparison. That it ever happens is amazing to me; yet, it happens all the time at the highest levels of competition. And it happens in academics too! Same shit, different day. And in politics. Ok, I'm stopping now before I give up on us as a species. Again.
      - r00fus 11y ago
        Partially because we as society likely reward "results" better than "good effort" or "team playing". I'll leave it an open question whether the money involved in these activities is an influencer, or whether it's just rotten ol human nature (addictiveness to winning). Perhaps the reality is that cheating happens everywhere and only in the highest-stakes competitions do we notice and punish it?
      - recursive 11y ago
        Pro athletes aren't just motivated by an intrinsic desire to do the best they can. There is an external pressure to win. It's a real pressure with money behind it. In the case of cycling, teams are supported by sponsors out of their marketing budget. They would like to see their names in the press. (associated with a win obviously, not a cheating scandal)
        seanp2k2 11y ago
        Apparently there may also be an aspect of gambling and/or mafia involvement in cyclocross as well: http://fittish.deadspin.com/professional-cyclist-gets-six-year-ban-for-using-an-ill-1773134563 http://fittish.deadspin.com/professional-cyclist-gets-six-ye...
  - fahadkhan 11y ago
    Cyclist also (legally) use wireless candance, speed, power, gear ratio, heart rate sensors, etc. Though they're normally ANT+ and not Bluetooth.
    - joezydeco 11y ago
      Cheaters will also find a loophole. Jammers and etc aren't worth talking about.
    - matthewowen 11y ago
      BTLE is becoming increasingly popular (eg Polar has moved entirely to using it).
j_s 11y ago
Bike motors were discussed fairly in-depth on HN 2 months ago; it seems to be this website's ticket to the front page: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11247598 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11247598

by buro9 11y ago

Apofis 11y ago

Haha wow, for the Vivak, there's even a "Invisible Performance Package".

Xylakant 11y ago

"It was controlled by a Bluetooth switch installed underneath the handlebar tape." (in the article)

shpx 11y ago
They should install Bluetooth sniffers before steep sections, it would be cool to see a little ping on the radio and then watch one of the racers magically pull ahead.
- chinathrow 11y ago
  Or Bluetooth jammers.
- DINKDINK 11y ago
  how would you filter out Bluetooth signals that are and aren't cheating signals?
  - r00fus 11y ago
    By cross-correlating with performance shifts (ie, the pulling ahead comment above). It's not a smoking gun, but it could be evidence perhaps to do more thoroughly audit that bike, for example.
    - cmurf 11y ago
      The rider's strategy may be merely maintaining relative positioning with the top riders, save energy, and use that small reserve for a better chance in a sprint finish or whatever. It's no way certain someone just starts going faster using one of these.
- methehack 11y ago
  While they're at it, they should make better humans.
  - methehack 11y ago
    My point here is that I have always found it so completely unfathomable that someone would spend so much time on an activity -- any activity -- and then cheat. Cheating is about looking better, not being better. At the same time, it robs others, equally devoted, of a fair basis of comparison. That it ever happens is amazing to me; yet, it happens all the time at the highest levels of competition. And it happens in academics too! Same shit, different day. And in politics. Ok, I'm stopping now before I give up on us as a species. Again.
    - r00fus 11y ago
      Partially because we as society likely reward "results" better than "good effort" or "team playing". I'll leave it an open question whether the money involved in these activities is an influencer, or whether it's just rotten ol human nature (addictiveness to winning). Perhaps the reality is that cheating happens everywhere and only in the highest-stakes competitions do we notice and punish it?
    - recursive 11y ago
      Pro athletes aren't just motivated by an intrinsic desire to do the best they can. There is an external pressure to win. It's a real pressure with money behind it. In the case of cycling, teams are supported by sponsors out of their marketing budget. They would like to see their names in the press. (associated with a win obviously, not a cheating scandal)
      - seanp2k2 11y ago
        Apparently there may also be an aspect of gambling and/or mafia involvement in cyclocross as well: http://fittish.deadspin.com/professional-cyclist-gets-six-year-ban-for-using-an-ill-1773134563 http://fittish.deadspin.com/professional-cyclist-gets-six-ye...
- fahadkhan 11y ago
  Cyclist also (legally) use wireless candance, speed, power, gear ratio, heart rate sensors, etc. Though they're normally ANT+ and not Bluetooth.
  - joezydeco 11y ago
    Cheaters will also find a loophole. Jammers and etc aren't worth talking about.
  - matthewowen 11y ago
    BTLE is becoming increasingly popular (eg Polar has moved entirely to using it).

j_s 11y ago

Bike motors were discussed fairly in-depth on HN 2 months ago; it seems to be this website's ticket to the front page: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11247598 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=11247598