The International Cycling Union (UCI) says it will use X-ray technology and randomly select bikes to dismantle following races in an increased effort to fight technological fraud.

UCI president David Lappartient, who won a landslide election victory over Brian Cookson last September, had promised the detection of potential mini-engines in bikes would be one of his top priorities.

The Frenchman announced a series of new measures in Geneva, including the use of X-ray equipped trucks.

Other measures include the dismantling of suspicious bikes and the continued use of tablet devices to scan bikes, a technique that was widely criticised by riders and some team staff for being ineffective.

David Lappartient says the X-ray machines will be mounted on the back of trucks. ( Reuters: Denis Balibouse )

In the past two editions of the Tour de France, thermal imaging cameras were also used to detect the potential use of motors in bikes.

Riders caught using mini-engines face a minimum six-month suspension as well as a fine up to $270,000, while the team could face a fine of up to $1.3 million.

In 2016, Belgian cyclo-cross champion Femke Van den Driessche became the first rider banned for using a hidden motor in a race.

The UCI will introduce the scans in its races, including the Tour de France. ( AP: Peter Dejong )

Reuters