UCI faces legal action by SRAM over contested gear limitations regulations - Assertion claiming these restrictions penalize innovation, disadvantage riders and teams in competitions
In a significant move, SRAM, a leading manufacturer of cycling components, has lodged a complaint with the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) against the Union Cycliste Internationale's (UCI) proposed gear restrictions.
The UCI was contacted for comment on Friday afternoon, but no response has been received as of yet.
The proposed restrictions, if implemented, will almost certainly cap the highest gear that riders can use during a race situation. This will force SRAM to mechanically disable its 10-tooth cog, reducing gear options for SRAM-equipped riders.
SRAM CEO Ken Lousberg has expressed concern about the proposed rules, stating that they violate EU and Belgium competition law (Articles 101 and 102 TFEU) and penalise and discourage innovation. Lousberg further argues that the restrictions put SRAM-equipped riders at a competitive disadvantage.
The impact of the proposed protocol on gearing choices is considered fundamentally unfair by Lousberg, who states that it demonstrates a pattern of arbitrary decisions by the UCI, including handlebar width, rim depth, the recent transponder implementation, and penalties in Romandie.
Lousberg also expressed concern about potential future impacts of the governing body's decisions on various aspects of the sport, including sock height.
SRAM provides equipment to four major men's WorldTour teams: Visma-Lease a Bike, Movistar, Lidl-Trek, and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. The company alleges that the UCI Maximum Gearing Protocol was adopted without consultation or transparency and lacks supporting empirical evidence.
The BCA has initiated formal anti-trust proceedings under EU and Belgian competition laws regarding the UCI's proposed gear restrictions. SRAM chose to go down the legal route due to the UCI leadership declining 'to engage in meaningful dialogue regarding the rule's validity or its basis'.
The protocol distorts competition in the road drivetrain market by limiting choice for professional teams and ultimately consumers, as SRAM relies on top-level teams to use and market its products. The UCI's proposed restrictions have already caused 'tangible harm' to SRAM's business and are said to disadvantage SRAM-equipped riders in professional cycling events.
The name of the person leading SRAM's lawsuit against the planned gear restrictions by the UCI is Alasdair MacIntyre. This legal action marks a significant development in the ongoing debate about the role of technology and innovation in cycling, and it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds.
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