The International Triathlon Union has announced it has licensed the International Cycling Union's technological fraud software ©ITU

The International Triathlon Union (ITU) has announced it has licensed the International Cycling Union's (UCI) technological fraud software to combat mechanical cheating in all events that appear on the international triathlon calendar. 

The UCI software utilises magnetic resistance technology, which has proven "most consistent and reliable" in detecting technological fraud.

“ITU is committed to providing a fair competition for athletes,” said ITU President and International Olympic Committee Member Marisol Casado. 

“This software will allow ITU, our National Federations and Continental Confederations, as well as other triathlon event companies, to minimise the possibility of foul play.”

“ITU is committed to providing a fair competition for athletes,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado ©Getty Images
“ITU is committed to providing a fair competition for athletes,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado ©Getty Images

This week, 12 ITU technical officials, including five ITU staff members, received training from Mark Barfield, the technical manager of the UCI, on the proper use of the software, which ITU will begin using at any approaching international event.

ITU will offer this service to other triathlon companies via one of the technical officials that received training from the UCI.

The triathlon governing body will also have the opportunity to train more technical officials all around the world, so any event can be in close reach by certified officials.

They will also connect National Federations directly to UCI to explore the opportunity to purchase the license themselves.

The UCI revealed in May that they had chosen the most “effective and efficient” system to detect technological fraud.

The system was first used, in competition, at the UCI Cyclo­cross World Championships in Heusden-Zolder during January, where the bike of Belgian rider Femke Van den Driessche was seized following the women’s under-23 event.

During the ensuing investigation, the 19-year-old was found to have had a concealed motor on her bike, controlled by a Bluetooth switch, resulting in the UCI’s Disciplinary Commission handing the rider a six-year suspension.

A French television programme, Stade 2 and Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera cast doubt in April, however, on the effectiveness of the tablet device, which can be used to test multiple bikes before and after races.

Their investigation claimed that they had been able to find hidden motors with thermal imaging cameras at the Strade Bianche and the Coppi e Bartali races.