Cyclo-cross racer Femke Van den Driessche, who was the first cyclist to officially be charged with 'mechanical doping', has decided to stop her career. The 19-year-old Belgian has opted not to fight the UCI.

Van den Driessche started as one of the favorites for the women's under-23 race at the 2016 World Championships, but failed to finish. Her race was interrupted as she had mechanical problems and electrical cables were observed hanging from her bike during a pit stop equipment check. During the race, the UCI checked the bicycles of Van den Driessche and found a motor in a bike that was in her pit.

"After consulting with my lawyers and my family, I have decided to discontinue my defence at the hearing in Aigle," she told Sporza.be. "I have decided for myself to stop cyclo-cross. The costs of the meeting in Switzerland will be too high for me. An acquittal is impossible, the bike was in my pit zone."

The UCI asks for at least a six-month ban and a fine of 20 000 Swiss Francs. Rumours claim that the UCI are calling for a more severe sanction to make an example.