SRAM has announced it has filed “a formal complaint” with Belgium’s Competition Authority against cycling’s governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), in dispute of its upcoming ‘Maximum Gearing Protocol’ trial.
Following this, SRAM says the BCA has "initiated formal anti-trust proceedings under EU and Belgian competition laws".
In a bombshell statement, the American brand says it is challenging the UCI’s upcoming gearing restrictions trial because it will “unfairly disadvantage SRAM riders and SRAM”.
This is because, SRAM says, it is “the only major manufacturer whose current pro team setup will be blocked” by the proposed regulations.
SRAM says its formal complaint comes after multiple failed attempts “to engage the UCI and raise concerns about the impact of the Maximum Gearing Protocol”.
Although SRAM notes it will continue to support its pro teams to comply with the proposed trial event at the Tour of Guangxi in October, a “lack of transparency and collaboration left legal action as the only remaining path forward”, according to SRAM’s statement.
SRAM alleges the UCI's Maximum Gearing Protocol:
- Was adopted without consultation or transparency and lacks supporting empirical evidence, and any safety justification.
- Disadvantages SRAM-equipped riders in professional cycling events.
- Distorts competition in the road drivetrain market by limiting choice for professional teams and ultimately consumers, because SRAM relies on top-level teams to use and market its products.
- Violates EU and Belgian competition law (Articles 101 and 102 TFEU).
Speaking on behalf of the brand, SRAM CEO Ken Lousberg, said: “This protocol penalizes and discourages innovation and puts our riders and teams at a competitive disadvantage.”
“We rely on the sport’s governing body to foster an environment that encourages innovation for the benefit of riders and racers today, and riders in the future. We also rely on the governing body to make science-based, impactful changes for rider safety.”
The statement also notes that while the UCI says the 2025 Tour of Guangxi will be a “test” event for the proposed gearing restrictions, SRAM feels “its implementation has already caused tangible harm” to its brand.
“SRAM’s gearing has been publicly labeled as non-compliant, creating reputational damage, market confusion, team and athlete anxiety, and potential legal exposure.”
Lousberg says: “SRAM-equipped teams will have to race at a disadvantage on compromised equipment with a reduced number of gearing options compared to their competitors. It’s also not clear what is being tested.”
As first reported by Daniel Benson, the UCI has said that “relevant data will be monitored and feedback from all stakeholders will be gathered to study the effects” of the restrictions – but exactly what the "relevant data” is remains unclear.
As we noted back in June, the UCI’s proposed restrictions will affect SRAM-sponsored teams most heavily, due to SRAM’s extensive use of cassettes that start with 10t sprockets.
Under the UCI’s proposed rollout limit of 10.46m, SRAM-sponsored athletes would face using chainrings no longer than 49t – and taking a hit to drivetrain efficiency compared to rivals using bigger chainrings – or artificially limiting their derailleurs to 11 out of the 12 available rear sprockets, so that the 10t isn’t accessible.
Alternatively, SRAM could row back on its use of 10t sprockets, and provide teams and riders with cassettes starting with 11t sprockets, but SRAM notes that “complying with the protocol would require a full redesign and technical step back – a process that would take years”.
SRAM is also critical of the UCI’s framing of the trial as “a safety initiative", noting that “no evidence has been presented to support such claims”.
It claims its own analysis of “crash data” from the 2025 Tour de France “found no correlation between higher rollout configurations and crash risk”.
SRAM says it has requested “the immediate suspension of the gearing restrictions”, as well as “representation” for manufacturers on the board responsible for the UCI’s technical regulations.
Citing recently announced changes to the UCI’s regulations surrounding handlebar width, rim depth and so on, Lousberg says: “Today, the UCI’s actions unjustly penalize SRAM riders and SRAM. But given the way the governing body makes its decisions… It’s impossible to know who may be impacted in the future.
“We hope to create a more transparent and collaborative climate for teams and component suppliers that ultimately leads to a better and safer sport for all.”
More to follow…
