Chris Froome welcomes latest bike checks in fight against mechanical doping

UCI officials checked six riders' bikes - including Froome's - for motors after stage 18 of the Tour de France.

Katusha Bike Check (Photo: Philippe Maertens)

Chris Froome welcomed the latest round of bike checks that took place in the fight against mechanical doping at the Tour de France on Thursday.

Froome’s Pinarello Dogma F8 was one of six bikes examined by UCI officials after the Tour’s 18th stage that finished in Saint Jean de Maurienne. This was at least the third round of checks carried out during this year’s Tour thus far; it is believed that no suspicious items were found in the hunt for hidden motors.

"I'm happy that they're doing the checks,” said Froome. “They’re probably needed given all the rumours out there."

Stage winner Romain Bardet and runner-up Pierre Rolland, green jersey leader Peter Sagan, Nairo Quintana and Joaquim Rodriguez also had their bikes examined by technical staff from the sport’s governing body.

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Bottom brackets were removed from each, and a camera was used to check for signs of hidden electric aids.

“I think most of the suspicion is on social media but they don’t come from nowhere, the technology exists,” added Froome.

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Nick Bull is an NCTJ qualified journalist who has written for a range of titles, as well as being a freelance writer at Beat Media Group, which provides reports for the PA Media wire which is circulated to the likes of the BBC and Eurosport. His work at Cycling Weekly predominantly dealt with professional cycling, and he now holds a role as PR & Digital Manager at SweetSpot Group, which organises the Tour of Britain.