British Cycling is one of the first national federations to carry out technical fraud testing the sports governing body confirmed today.

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) deployed a new scanning method in 2016 for the detection of technological fraud. The new scanning method uses an electronic tablet with custom-made software which enables an operator to test a complete bike, wheels, frame, groupset and other components in less than a minute.

Testing on the new scanning method is taking place at the 2016 National Road Race Championships in Stockton-on-Tees on 23 and 26 June. This follows a training day, delivered by the UCI, which British Cycling hosted in Manchester.

British Cycling’s cyclesport and membership director, Jonny Clay, said:

“British Cycling is one of the first national federations to respond to this form of cheating and we are taking our responsibility very seriously. The National Road Race Championships was the ideal first event to undertake testing of the new technology.

“While technical fraud is extremely rare, we need to ensure that we are taking action in the fight against all forms of cheating and the new scanning method is a real step forward, especially given that it can be done so quickly. We will soon roll out the testing across other disciplines.”