CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker travels to Budapest, Hungary to interview Istvan Varjas. The former cyclist designed a bike with a secret motor to fit inside the bike’s frame in 1998. A friend found a buyer who offered Varjas close to $2 million. Varjas took the money with a 10-year virtual gag order (he promised not to talk about his invention). Three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond believes such secret bikes with motors are being used in professional competitions.
Varjas tells Whitaker it’s not his fault if pro cyclists ended up with his bike. “If a grandfather came and buys a bike and after it goes to…his grandson who is racing, it’s not my problem,” says Varjas. Even if told by a potential buyer that the bike would be used to cheat in a competition, Varjas tells Whitaker, “If the money is big, why not?” 60 Minutes airs Sundays at 7pm on CBS.
