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Lance Armstrong: denies ever using a motor. AP/Press Association Images

Lance Armstrong and Team Sky deny ever using hidden bike motors to cheat

CBS report shines a light on the possibility of motorised cheating in pro cycling.

TEAM SKY, WHICH has produced four of the past five Tour de France champions, and doping-disgraced Lance Armstrong have denied using secret motors in bicycles.

A report on CBS show “60 Minutes” examined the possibility of motorised cheating in pro cycling with three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, admitted dope cheat ex-rider Tyler Hamilton and Hungarian designer Istvan Varjas, who makes hidden motors for bikes, saying they believe such cheating exists.

“I know the motor is still in the sport,” LeMond said. “There’s always a few bad apples because it’s a lot of money.”

Jean Pierre Verdy, a former French Anti-Doping Agency testing director, told CBS he had been disturbed by speeds on mountain climbs, saying informants among riders and team managers told him that about 12 riders used motors in the 2015 Tour de France.

They are hurting their sport, but human nature is like that. Man has always tried to find that magic potion,” Verdy said.

Varjas said he told French police he sold secret-motor cycles to an unknown client just before the 2015 Tour, delivering the bikes to a locked storage room. He noted one motor design can be hidden inside the hub of the back wheel but would boost the normal wheel weight by about 800 grams.

- 2015 Tour -

In the 2015 Tour de France, peloton bikes were weighed before a time trial stage, with CBS reporting French authorities said Team Sky was the only squad with heavier bikes, each about 800 grams more.

“Weight is everything,” LeMond said. “If your bike weighs a kilo more, you would never race on it.”

Britain’s Chris Froome, riding for Sky, won the 2013, 2015 and 2016 Tour de France crowns. In 2015, he was “King of the Mountains” for his times in the difficult climbing stages that often prove decisive. No Tour winner since 1970 had won the mountain crown as well.

A Team Sky spokesman told CBS the team never used mechanical assistance, saying time trial bikes might be heavier to allow for better aerodynamics and all Sky bikes were checked and cleared by the International Cycling Union (UCI).

CBS reported, citing unnamed sources, that UCI would not allow French investigators in 2015 to remove Team Sky wheels and weigh them alone to uncover if they were enhanced.

LeMond said UCI must do more to combat motorised cheating.

“This is fixable,” LeMond said. “I don’t trust it until they figure out how to take the motor out. I won’t trust any victories of the Tour de France.”

Armstrong, an admitted dope cheat who was stripped of seven Tour de France titles from 1999-2005, denied to CBS through his lawyer ever using a motor, although his victory run began just after Varjas claims he sold his first secret-motor bike to an anonymous purchaser with a promise not to make more or talk of it for 10 years.

If they offer you $2 million dollars to don’t do nothing, can you refuse it? I don’t think (so),” he told CBS.

- A ‘winning’ difference -

Armstrong’s ex-teammate, Hamilton, said he never knew of any motors used by US Postal riders.

CBS purchased a 1999 US Postal cycle and had Varjas install a motor, paying him $12,000 for parts and labour, then had Hamilton ride it.

It’s not super obvious,” he said. “I could see how teams are doing it.”

The silent motor made with military-grade metal is powered by a lithium battery and operated by a secret button, providing a limited power boost for 20 minutes.

That’s the difference between winning and losing for sure,” Hamilton said. “For sure.”

A remote control can connect the motor to heart rate, the motor starting when a rider’s heart rate rises too high, Varjas said.

Varjas said he knew motors were being used by pro riders but said it’s not his problem, adding “If the money is big, why not?”

Varjas claimed Michele Ferrari, banned from cycling for his role in chemical doping programmes, has bought hidden-motor bikes in the past three years, but CBS said Ferrari told them he tested one but never bought one from Varjas.

– © AFP 2017; first published 10.10

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:40 PM

    Both the Dublin footballers and hurlers are arrogant and seem to display little or no respect for other teams. The funny thing is, they have won f**k all and are disliked universally throughout the land for their attitude. Kerry will win, as always…obviously. Duh!

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    Mute JimBob Hillbill
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:59 PM

    That’s just Dubs in general. They can’t help it. You’d nearly feel sorry for ‘em

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    Mute Stuart Doyle
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:59 PM

    Your basing this opinion on previous Dublin teams,who believed their media hype,this team doesnt have that arrogance and youl see it when they play Kerry on Sunday.Remember everyone said Tyrone would wipe the floor with Dublin and Donegals defence would be too much oh and not to forget the fact that Kildare had already won the all Ireland according to some parts of the media.So you cant write the dubs off just yet.
    And as for saying all dub people are arrogant,its like me saying all non dubs are uneducated farmers…not true of course.

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    Mute Gavin Hoey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:10 PM

    Yes, whereas the footballers and hurlers from all other counties are demure and chivalrous to a man. What a pile of prejudiced sh!te.

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:34 PM

    Well yes, they are actually…compare Kilkenny senior hurlers to Dublin hurlers. One team have won it all yet remain humble and respectful, the other team…well yeah, just Dublin being Dublin

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    Mute Gavin Hoey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:40 PM

    You really believe the Dublin hurlers disrepect possibly the greatest hurling team ever to grace a park? You’re more twisted in your Dub hatred than I first thought.

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:55 PM

    Dublin – “We don’t really give a damn about anyone else” Good man Dotsy )))

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    Mute Eoin Gannon
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    Sep 16th 2011, 9:54 PM

    dublin play and act like every other team in the country yous all say we believe in the hype ,dont we all if a county’s doin well they get mega press and believe in the hype its not just dublin

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    Mute Eoin Gannon
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    Sep 16th 2011, 10:01 PM

    (((((((((((((Well yes, they are actually…compare Kilkenny senior hurlers to Dublin hurlers. One team have won it all yet remain humble and respectful, the other team…well yeah, just Dublin being Dublin)))))))))))) burnt toast

    just remember we beat kilkenny twice in the league almost beat them in the leinster final in which we played fair while kilkenny fouled us everytime vwe got the ball and if we had beaten tip we would have given kilkenny a hell of a game and may well have beaten them

    also we have a young team takin out the top teams in ireland all through the year of course some of it will get to the players

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    Mute Ando Winters
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:04 PM

    dublin of course!

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:37 PM

    of course ? lol

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    Mute JimBob Hillbill
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:58 PM

    ROFL

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    Mute Rachel Howe
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:22 PM

    I’m a dub living in the country and the abuse I’m getting over my Dublin flag is unreal!! I am by no means arrogant, just a fan. Really hope the lads do it, true blue forever…..

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    Mute Gavin Hoey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:16 PM

    Haters, twisted haters.

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:40 PM

    Salt of the earth !

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    Mute BcuTCM0P
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:24 PM

    Head says Kerry, heart says Dublin. Up the Dubs!

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    Mute seamus moore
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:10 PM

    I commented after the Dublin v Kildare game that I didn’t think either team would win the All Ireland. Given my record to date, you would be well advised to bet on the Dubs to win!

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    Mute benkenealy
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:13 PM

    i think the pie chart should have been the ‘standard’ shades of blue colours…

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    Mute Ciaran J Ward
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    Sep 16th 2011, 3:03 PM

    My Dub flag is flying high in Langerland……… Cork people hate everyone other than themselves…….. Football to win after the donegal fiasco but sam is going to the DUBS

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    Mute Peter Murray
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:49 PM

    burnt toast give example of arrogance please

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    Mute Alan Larkin
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:13 PM

    The ad for McDonalds … ” ‘You’re not in Longford now, Flynn’,” and “Don’t be stupid. It wrecks the cheese.” … Dubs know everything, of course!!

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    Mute Alan Larkin
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:14 PM

    ;)

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    Mute BcuTCM0P
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:22 PM

    @Alan. Have you ever reheated a big mac in the microwave?

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    Mute Alan Larkin
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:29 PM

    Course not! It wrecks the cheese! … Doh!

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 4:24 PM

    Hm where to start, oh yeah… the hurling team pre-booking a bar in Dublin to celebrate their anticipated win against Kilkenny…who of course trashed them. Is that arrogance or gross stupidity, cringe :(

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    Mute Gavin Hoey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:15 PM

    It’s called contingency, toast, having a plan for all eventualities. But you’re obviously coiled so tightly with apopectic hatred for all things Dublin that you’re ready to take every little detail and blow it out of all proportion.

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:36 PM

    hahaha oh that’s what it is called is it, funny how no other GAA team in the history of the game have had such a premature contingency plan blow up in their face lol Good man yourself, anymore jokes ;)

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    Mute Gavin Hoey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:48 PM

    Read this:
    http://joe.ie/gaa/gaa-news/the-pre-emptive-dublin-hurlers-party-plans-pr-0013661-1

    Think you’ll find it was the Bar and not the team who jumped the gun.

    Your imminent apology is accepted, toast.

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:57 PM

    No, donl;t be silly…it was the team and that is well known. No good getting your PR boys to spin a story blaming the bar. Have they booked the Shelbourne for Sundays celebrations yet I wonder, will you be there ? ))

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    Mute padraiggrey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 12:42 PM

    Galvin holds key

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    Mute Tony Stamper
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:04 PM

    Dublin haven’t had a great football team since the 70′s. They have Alan Brogan and ….????. Would Alan Brogan make the Kerry team, maybe, maybe not. I don’t like to see Kerry win but i’d say they’ll walk this one, win by 10 points. The cheap Dublin players always hype up Dublin in the campaign and their fans buy in to it every time.

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    Mute Eric Haughan
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:38 PM

    Tony, the Dubs have Alan Brogan and reigning Footballer of the Year Bernard Brogan too… Read a newspaper, Pal…

    Up the Dubs ;)

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    Mute Burnt Toast
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    Sep 16th 2011, 4:26 PM

    Oh wow, and how many Brogan’s have Kerry got ? Stop reading your tabloid papers ‘pal’ ;)

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    Mute Peter Murray
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    Sep 16th 2011, 1:43 PM

    wrong tony, the media always hype up Dublin, players say no different to players from other counties and the genuine fans know exactly how good or bad the team is so take what’s in the papers with a pinch of salt.. I’m hoping Dublin win but not expecting it..

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    Mute Gavin Hoey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:17 PM

    Correct on all counts Peter.

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    Mute HEADWRECKER
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    Sep 16th 2011, 2:52 PM

    Who gives a flying f**k

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    Mute neuromancer
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    Sep 16th 2011, 2:15 PM

    I couldn’t care less.

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    Mute Gavin Hoey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:17 PM

    Got any spare tickets?

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    Mute Ciaran FitzGerald
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    Sep 16th 2011, 4:22 PM

    Galvin to win it from the bench….

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    Mute Cormac Flanagan
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    Sep 16th 2011, 4:35 PM

    Gooch to be unstoppable, get man of the match and player of the year. You heard it here first.

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    Mute neuromancer
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    Sep 16th 2011, 4:42 PM

    You would swear life depended on this sport. Its a few guys running around a pitch. Utter boring. I’d rather sit on the toilet than sit and watch this match or any match for that matter.

    I’ll be looking for a pub that has no television, thank you very much.

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    Mute Damien Casey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:54 PM

    I take it the glass in your picture is half empty?

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    Mute Donncha Foley
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    Sep 16th 2011, 11:16 PM

    Yet you scrolled through all these comments…

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    Mute Gordon Bernard
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    Sep 16th 2011, 3:33 PM

    Who cares about bog-ball, horrible primitive sport loved by lads with thick heads, and lasses with think ankles… Man Utd v Chelsea, 4pm Sunday, yes please!

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    Mute Patricia Brennan
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    Sep 16th 2011, 2:32 PM

    My heart says Dublin……head says Kerry. :(

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    Mute Ash Farren
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    Sep 18th 2011, 7:00 PM

    I’m so glad Dublin won! Eat your words haters :)

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    Mute Damien Casey
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    Sep 16th 2011, 5:53 PM

    Dublin have a huge advantage playing at home in their usual championship stadium in front of what will probably be over 70% Dublin supporters.

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    Mute Des Doherty
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    Sep 16th 2011, 7:06 PM

    No way , croker is kerrys home stadium , up Kerry

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    Mute Donncha Foley
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    Sep 16th 2011, 11:22 PM

    Dublin defensive system will give Kerry half back line too much space, Kerry will score more. So Dublin must attack, reducing their defence meaning Kerry will score more. Galvin is there just in case. I think! Hope it’s a good game anyhoo

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