Former world champion Fabian Cancellara could be investigated over accusations that he used a hidden motor in his bicycle, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) said Thursday.
"We can't rule out opening an investigation if new elements come into our possession," a UCI spokesperson said, confirming comments also made by UCI president David Lappartient to Cyclingnews.
"We need to know exactly what is behind this," Lappartient said. "Of course, I heard all the rumors, like everybody, and I just want to know exactly. So we will investigate, that is our job."
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"I hope that [mechanical doping] never happened in professional cycling," he said. "If this was the case, it would be a disaster for the image of cycling and that's why we have to fight."
See how the UCI scans for hidden motors before races:
Lappartient was reacting to accusations made against Swiss star Cancellara by former cyclist Phil Gaimon in a new book.
"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," Gaimon, an American, wrote.
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Cancellara, who quit the sport in 2016, faced accusations that he was using a hidden motor following his wins at the 2010 Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix.
Cancellara has always denied the allegations.
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