‘We thought it was Lance Armstrong in a body suit!’ a spectator didn’t say but really should have.
Le Dauphine newspaper reported that the incident occurred at the 12th edition of the Col du Benas hill climb race south of Lyon.
Out of a field of 112 amateur competitors, the geezer came in just three minutes off the (much younger) winner’s time. With visages properly gobsmacked, organisers quickly confiscated the man’s bike and found that the rear wheel had a motorised hub.
The unnamed man told Le Dauphine, “Everyone knew about it, several people saw my bike before the start, told me it was fine, nobody tried to stop me going and then afterwards I was in trouble!”
“I made a mistake, I’ll admit it, but I did it knowingly. In addition, the regulations of the event do not mention the ban on the use of e-bikes. Also, I prefer mechanical doping to pharmaceutical doping.”
All I can say of this terrible event is, well, that’s brilliant! Go on son!
Finally, a tale of doping that we can all admire!
Astana promptly offered him a 3 year contract…
Hey us old farts need all the ‘help’ we can get