SRAM files legal action against UCI plan to limit gear ratios
The American manufacturer has launched an injunction in a bid to prevent the UCI from rolling out a test of gear restrictions at the Tour of Guangxi next month.
SRAM has launched legal action against the UCI’s proposed new gear-restriction rules, which the component manufacturer claims is a breach of European competition law.
The UCI has announced plans to test a new rule at next month’s Tour of Guangxi that would restrict gears to a maximum progression of 10.46m per pedal stroke. The governing body maintains the rule – valid in mass start races – would help to limit speed and increase rider safety.
The proposed gear restriction essentially creates a maximum gear ratio of 54x11, and it would outlaw the 54x10 ratio available with SRAM’s RED AXS groupset. The American company maintains that it is the only manufacturer affected by the new regulation.
“SRAM is the only major manufacturer whose current pro team setup will be blocked by the new UCI regulations – regulations that hinder innovation, limit rider choice, and unfairly disadvantage SRAM riders and SRAM,” the company said in a statement on Friday.
The UCI’s proposed test of restricted gearing in Guangxi has previously been criticised by Richard Plugge, whose Visma | Lease a Bike rides on SRAM-equipped bikes. “If you are going to do a test, then you have to do a proper test with a good procedure,” Plugge told Domestique last month.
On Friday, SRAM stated that it had taken an injunction against the proposed test at the Tour of Guangxi, the final WorldTour event of the season. The company claimed that the UCI’s proposed rules had already caused “tangible harm” to its brand.
“Although the UCI refers to the Maximum Gearing Protocol as a ‘test,’ its implementation has already caused tangible harm,” the statement read. “SRAM’s gearing has been publicly labelled as non-compliant, creating reputational damage, market confusion, team and athlete anxiety, and potential legal exposure. It is for these reasons SRAM has also sought immediate injunctive relief, halting the gearing restriction requirement at the Guangxi event and any future events.”
SRAM has filed its complaint with the Belgian Competition Authority, citing articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which governs competition law.
SRAM contends that the UCI’s proposed gear restriction unfairly favours competitors such as Shimano and Campagnolo, stating that the governing body had refused to engage in “meaningful dialogue” on the matter.
