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Cancellara’s former mechanic defends him against motor doping accusations

Former Team Saxo Bank mechanic Rune Kristensen has dismissed claims that Fabian Cancellara used a hidden motor to win the 2010 Tour of Flanders

“I simply do not think it’s possible to cheat on an electric motor without being discovered,” Kristensen said to ekstrabladet.dk. “In 2010, I was a mechanic at the two races with Cancellara’s permanent mechanic, Roger Theel, and we jointly assembled all the team’s bikes for Spring Classics” he said.

“Had there been an engine stored in a bike, I would have discovered it. It would not be possible to avoid it. Fabian’s bikes were handled like all other bikes, so it’s impossible that something could be hidden in it.”“

“Fabian’s bikes were always locked in the trucks along with the other bikes after a race,” Kristensen continued. “Had there been a motor, the bike would probably have been tucked away in a hotel room.“If there was a motor, then would a mechanic have been allowed to wash the bike after a run? We all did that. I simply do not think it’s possible to cheat with an electric motor without being discovered."

Cancellara was accused of mechanical doping after an Italian film claimed to show how the Swiss rider used a hidden, battery powered motor.

Ex-pro cyclist Phil Gaimon states in his new autobiography Draft Animals “When you watch the footage, his accelerations don’t look natural at all, like he’s having trouble staying on the top of the pedals. That f*cker probably did have a motor”

Former rider Jean-Christophe Peraud has joined the UCI as the Manager of Equipment and the Fight against technological fraud.

The appointment comes after the announcement the UCI that it will investigate after claims made by ex-professional Phil Gaimon and others against Fabian Cancellara for mechanical doping.

Former Team Saxo Bank mechanic Rune Kristensen has dismissed claims that Fabian Cancellara used a hidden motor to win the 2010 Tour of Flanders