LAUSANNE (AFP) - The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), global cycling's governing body, on Tuesday banned Femke Van den Driessche for six years for the first recorded case of using hidden motors in bike racing.

The former under-23 European cyclo-cross champion was found to be using a concealed electric motor at the world championships in January. All her results from October last year have been annulled and she was ordered to return all prize money and medals.