Ghost in the Machine

Stak

“I truly believe that motors were used to win bike races” - Greg LeMond, three-time winner of the Tour de France.In January 2016, 19-year-old Belgian cyclist Femke van den Driessche was caught with a collection of wires, motors and batteries buried deep inside her spare bike at the Cyclo-cross World Championships.She was then suspended for six years and bore the wrath of global media as the only rider ever to be banned by The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for having a motor in her bike, despite numerous previous suspicions of other competitive cyclists that have never been confirmed or disproved.Eight years later, Chris Marshall-Bell is on a mission to reveal the truth around motors in cycling as he peers beneath the surface of sports' most incredible discovery. Chris will unpick a tangled web of bizarre misdemeanours, claims and counter-claims. From jail time, bankruptcy and death threats to carnival cat costumes and one daring canary theft - this story is set to keep listeners on the edge of their seat.Is motor-doping being performed at the highest level? Read more

Sports True crime

Episodes

Episode 7 - We Will Catch You

06/28/2024 49:09Episode 6 - The Inventor of Motor Doping

05/03/2024 44:09 Ghost in the Machine returns...

02/28/2024 3:00Episode 5 - Still Getting Away With It?

02/12/2024 45:11Episode 4 - Breaking Their Silence

02/05/2024 42:02 Show all episodes

Our take on Ghost in the Machine podcast

Ghost in the Machine takes us through the scandal that rocked the cycling world. Cycling reporter Chris Marshall-Bell dives into the notorious case of Femke van den Driessche—the first cyclist caught 'motor doping.' With a motor concealed in her bike, her story unfolds through diverse conversations, including a first-time public account from Driessche herself. The podcast doesn't just stop at one incident; it explores the broader implications on the sport, questioning the integrity of competition and the lengths to which athletes will go to win. It's a must-listen for anyone fascinated by the intersection of technology, ethics, and human ambition in sports. Ghost in the Machine is a true crime podcast by Stak.