Kristen Faulkner is in danger of losing third place in the women's Strade Bianche after the UCI launched an investigation into the suspected use of a continuous glucose meter in the Italian race.

Many social media posts captured television footage of the race showing a biscuit-shaped object under the jersey of Jayco Arulla's upper left arm. It appeared to be an Abbott sensor that could be used with the SuperSapiens app to monitor blood sugar levels.

Cycling News asked the Australian team about the social post on Saturday, but the team declined to respond.

UCI first confirmed to the Cycling Podcast that it was looking into the matter. It also issued a statement to Cycling News.

"The UCI is aware that Kristen Faulkner (Team Jayco Alura) appeared to have been wearing a continuous glucose monitor at the Italian UCI Women's World Tour, Strade Bianche, on March 4.

"The UCI is currently investigating this matter and reviewing the applicable procedures and potential consequences.

Although athletes use continuous glucose monitors in training, UCI rules state that "devices that capture other physiological data, including but not limited to metabolic values such as glucose and lactate, are not approved for competition."

Cycling News understands that Faulkner has already submitted evidence in her defense to the UCI to avoid or limit any punishment.

Faulkner apparently had a new continuous glucose monitor fitted to her arm before a late call to Strade Bianche on Saturday. Each device can be used for up to two weeks.

She apparently thought that UCI regulations referred to the active use of continuous glucose monitors with a cell phone app, but her sensor was not connected to her cell phone during Strade Bianche.

When contacted by Cycling News on Thursday, Jaco-Alura declined to comment, saying she wanted to wait for the UCI's findings.