SRAM’s CEO Ken Lousberg says the company tried to engage the UCI over its new Maximum Gearing Protocol, but its concerns went “unheard”.
The UCI, cycling’s governing body, announced in June that it would trial gearing restrictions in a bid to improve rider safety.
Due to the gear ratios used by SRAM, concerns were raised at the time that the company’s athletes and teams would be most affected by the restrictions.
On Friday, SRAM announced it has filed “a formal complaint” with Belgium’s Competition Authority against the UCI, stating that it’s the only major manufacturer whose current pro team setup would be disadvantaged by the new UCI regulations.
In an open letter, Lousberg said: “The UCI’s new Maximum Gearing Protocol is set to restrict the equipment many of you rely on to ride and race at your best. It limits choice, stifles innovation, and unfairly targets SRAM riders – and SRAM itself.”
“We’ve tried to engage the UCI, cycling’s governing body, in good faith, but our concerns went unheard. That’s why we’ve taken legal action – not just to protect SRAM, but to protect the right to compete on equal footing,” added Lousberg.
“We’re not asking for much. We simply want our racers to compete on a level playing field, and for the industry to be recognized and included as a core stakeholder – working together to make our sport safer for athletes and more inspiring for fans."
Lousberg added that he knows the rule has "already caused confusion, anxiety and disruption” and said SRAM’s commitment to rider safety and innovation “remains unchanged”.
SRAM said in an official statement: “Although the UCI refers to the Maximum Gearing Protocol as a 'test', its implementation has already caused tangible harm. SRAM’s gearing has been publicly labeled as non- compliant, creating reputational damage, market confusion, team and athlete anxiety, and potential legal exposure.”
Gearing restrictions are a divisive issue in professional cycling. Chris Froome and Wout van Aert called for gear restrictions in January. Froome said: “At some point, I think we're maybe going to have to even have the discussion about limiting the progression of technology in the sport to accommodate for the safety aspect. That could be something as simple as limiting the gears we're using.”
But following the UCI’s announcement in June, others objected to the proposal.
Ahead of the Arctic Race of Norway in August, Tom Pidcock said: “Limiting gears will only make everything more dangerous.”
Dan Bigham, head of engineering at Red Bull – Bora – Hansgrohe, also presented his research into the restrictions at the Science and Cycling Conference in Lille. He said the restrictions would have no impact on the speed of the peloton and therefore would not improve safety.
“We have the power to make changes. But restricting gear ratios simply distracts from making meaningful changes to rider safety,” said Bigham.
