This is the 'hidden motor' everyone's been talking about since a 'mechanical doping' scandal rocked pro racing
The sport's governing body, the UCI, told Business Insider on Tuesday that it wouldn't comment at this time on what type of motor was actually found in the bike, stating that "the procedure must now follow its course until the UCI Disciplinary Commission renders its decision."
For her part, Van den Driessche said it wasn't her bike and insisted she was "totally unaware" it was fitted with a hidden motor.
In the meantime, curious observers are talking about the Vivax Assist, a small motor that's inserted into a bike frame and activated by pushing a button that's installed on the handlebar. It weighs about 4 pounds, can produce up to 110 watts of power, and costs $3,000.
Company condemns those who would race with a motor
Business Insider spoke on Tuesday with Vivax's Ulrike Treichl, who's in charge of the company's marketing and PR. She said she was shocked upon hearing the news over the weekend that a competitive cyclist had been caught with a hidden motor in her bike, but made it clear that Vivax has no idea whether or not the motor used was one of its own.
"We can't say if she used our motor, but of course maybe she used it," Treichl said. "We don't know. For us it is very disappointing when a product that can bring great benefit to many customers is used for other intents, for that is really unacceptable.
"The system is not intended for use in competition," she added. "This was not in the mind of the inventor. And we'd like to say we condemn the use of the Vivax Assist system in competition."
Treichl said Vivax sells 1,200 motors a year and is the only company in Europe that makes such a product. Vivax does not deliver to private persons but works strictly through distributors.
No one connected to the cyclist had purchased products from Vivax, Treichl added.
"We also welcome the inspection of the UCI, and hope that a rethink in competitive sport takes place, and that fairness is first and forward again," Treichl said. "We'd like to sell the Vivax only to cyclists who use additional assistance if needed, and not to people who are going to competition."
In this video by CyclingTips, you can see the Vivax Assist in action:
One local Vivax dealer's take
One of Vivax's "premium dealers" in Belgium, Bart Daems of 't Wieleke bike shop, which has sold and installed the Vivax Assist system many times, told Business Insider on Tuesday that he himself is fairly confident the bike detained had a Vivax motor.
"I think it's almost sure that she used it," Daems said Tuesday. "It's not so heavy. The complete system is 2 kilos, and that includes the battery. It's not that big. And we can make batteries that fit in the tubes of the frame."
Amateur bike doping
Like other observers, Daems pointed to Van den Driessche's remarkable performance during an earlier race this season, the Koppenbergcross, which features a tough climb that often plays a key role in the race's outcome.
"She stayed [seated] on the saddle, and for the Vivax system it's best that you stay on the saddle," Daems said. "Your rpm's from the saddle are from 70 to 90, and then you have the best effect from the motor. That's what she did on the Koppenberg.
"All the other girls were standing up on the pedals, and she was the only one sitting," he said.
Watch some of the Koppenbergcross action in question below:
For Vivax, the message it wants to share with the world is clear.
"Not to use any doping - to do everything from your own power," Treichl said. "This motor is not made for competition. If I were in a competition, I would have to do it with my own power. If I am not able to do it, it's better to be a hobby biker."