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The article states that: "The term E-bike refers to an electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC)" YES & NO. It can refer to any electrically powered cycle or motorbike. That would include EAPCs. An "E-bike" is not a legally defined thing.

It occurred to me that this could be fitted to an older rim brake bike as well but it would involve for example building a new rear wheel with a disc hub and rim brake rim.

@Paul J Please show me any reliable evidence. EPO tests already detect levels far below the minimum effective dose. With the recent state of the art, microdosing simply does not make any sense.

@tomlew microdosing EPO most definitely does "work" in terms of stimulating RBC production.

This is what the media frenzy about the "dangers of e-bikes" led us to. Meanwhile, drivers kill one pedestrian a day in general indifference.

@rideANDdie 100% agree. It is quite hard to imagine a driver would not understand that directly hitting someone hard with a car/large vehicle would not kill them. @Rendel Harris That doesn't apply. ie self-defense or the killer was mentally impaired (which can be shown/tested by the authorities later) The driver was not in danger from the cyclist. And even if the cyclist tried to attack them, the driver could have locked their doors and closed their windows. The worst the cyclist could have done is dent/scratch the car with their bike (maybe partially damage/smash a window), assuming they didn't have a weapon. And the driver, if fearing for their safety, could have driven away.

As far as I understand it, specific evidence against a rider (or of actual doping in general) isn't required for the judge's approval - they just have to convince them that, on balance, the need for them to do this to maintain an effective anti-doping program outweighs the riders' rights to privacy. The "serious suspicion" stuff comes from a comment to the UCI's internal rules (and is contradicted by another set of rules) and isn't really relevant to the judicial process.

After nearly 40 years of living in France and listening to thé démented chauvinism of French commentators I have to wonder if French riders would have had thé same treatment

There's no demonstrable link between the test and Vingegaard crashing out of the race - just some rather overblown speculation.

@Simon Withers I've not managed to buckle a wheel on tour although I have had to adjust spokes occasionally to keep my wheels true so I carry spare spokes and a spoke key anyway. My concern is getting to my destination and then having to straighten the disc because it got bent in transit. Would I need to carry heavy tools to do this?