Cyclist banned for six years for motor

The International Cycling Union has banned Belgian rider Femke Van Den Driessche for six years for using a hidden motor at the cyclo-cross world championships.

It's the UCI's first sanction using its rules on technological fraud.

UCI President Brian Cookson calls it "a major victory" to help "keep this form of cheating out of our sport."

The UCI banned Van Den Driessche through October 20, 2021, stripped her Under-23 European title and fined her 20,000 Swiss francs. ($A27,000)

The 19-year-old rider had said she would skip her disciplinary hearing and retire from racing.

The UCI says inspectors found a motor "concealed along with a battery in the seat-tube" at the world under-23 race in Belgium in January.

The motor "was controlled by a Bluetooth switch installed underneath the handlebar tape."