Mark Barfield, the UCI’s technical manager, revealed that their tablet device contains magnetometers, creating a structured magnetic field, with application software interpreting changes its density.

During a scan, which could last between 20 to 30 seconds per bike, the software generates a visual image and an automatic report, with photographs and locations attached.

In the event a change in detected with a consistent reading, the bike will then be subjected to further investigations, including being dismantled to find the cause of the disturbance.

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 last week.

A French television programme Stade 2 and Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera had last month, however, cast doubt 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.

Barfield accepted that thermal imaging cameras could be used to detect a motor.

He explained, though, that the heat signature provided could be affected be environmental temperatures or heat transfers from riders themselves.

Barfield also contested that thermal imaging cameras would require a clear, side-on view of the riders, which would require one or two motorbikes to ride alongside the peloton, prompting concerns over safety.

“The system we have chosen, we believe is the most effective and the most efficient for the environment we have to work, which is a complicated environment,” said Barfield, who also revealed that ultrasonic and X-ray methods had also been investigated by the UCI.

“Bike races are run on all different terrains and we believe that the environment in which we deploy this, and that is across all the disciplines, we have selected the most appropriate method.

“We remain open, this is not a final solution and it has been finished forever, we know that technology moves on.

“We continue to consider other testing methods and other potential avenues in detecting technological fraud.”

The tablet system was devised by the UCI along with British company Endoscope-I, with testing carried out in partnership with Typhoon Bicycles, a developer of e-bikes.

It is claimed that tests were carried out on a wide range of motors, with one of the key aims being to develop a system which could be reliable, globally available and cost-effective for national federations.

Around 2,500 tests have already been carried out by the UCI at races throughout 2016, including last week’s Tour de Romandie where 507 tests took place and a further 274 at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in London.

“I think we have a good answer to the problem, but I welcome anybody who is investigating the issues,” said Brain Cookson, President of the UCI.

“There is a message here to cheaters, that if you are thinking of using this method, don’t, because we will catch you.

“The system is not looking for a particular problem, it is looking for something that is where it shouldn’t be.

“If it finds that kind of thing, that is when you do the more invasive tests.

“The proof of the pudding is in the eating, the very first time this system was deployed, we caught someone.”