Belgian rider Femke Van den Driessche, the under-23 European cyclo-cross champion, has been the subject of an investigation after her bike was deemed suspicious following the event at Heusden-Zolder.

The 19-year-old rider has denied using a motor to speed up progress, claiming the bike belonged to a friend.

The UCI have confirmed that the case has now been will now be heard by their Disciplinary Commission.

“On Saturday 30 January 2016, a concealed engine was discovered in a bike following checks at the Women Under 23 race of the 2016 UCI Cyclo-­cross World Championships,” they said in a statement.

“Pursuant to the UCI Regulations related to technological fraud, the Union Cycliste Internationale has today referred the case to the Disciplinary Commission which will hear all relevant parties in the weeks to come.

“Working independently from the UCI, the Disciplinary Commission is the body in charge of imposing sanctions for breaches of the UCI Regulations.”

According to UCI’s rules for technological fraud,  also known as mechanical doping, the Belgian could face a disqualification, a minimum suspension of six months and a fine of up to CHF 200,000 (£141,000/$205,000/€182,000).

Mechanical doping is viewed as a modern challenge for the UCI.

They been urged to take “tough and effective action” by the European Cycling Union.

The UEC have revealed they will develop an action plan ahead of their Annual Meeting in March, which they will submit to the UCI with the aim of helping to try to prevent fraud taking place.

They also urged the sport’s governing body to step up checks before and after races in the coming weeks, focusing on the bikes and their wheels.