SRAM welcomes today's decision by the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) to suspend the Union Cycliste Internationale's (UCI) proposed maximum gear restrictions ahead of the Tour of Guangxi. The College's findings prohibit the protocol in future events as well. While the immediate restrictions have been suspended, the broader anti-trust case continues.
On October 3, SRAM participated in an emergency hearing before the Competition College of the BCA in Brussels to contest the UCI's newly imposed gearing restriction — a rule that was fundamentally unfair to SRAM riders, teams, and SRAM itself.
The BCA initiated formal anti-trust proceedings under European and Belgian competition laws on September 17. Nine professional cycling teams voluntarily joined the process to oppose the restrictions.
At the hearing, SRAM and the teams advocated for an open, non-discriminatory, and objective rule-making process in professional cycling — one that ensures a level playing field, fosters meaningful safety improvements, and respects rider choice.
"It's time to reshape how the sport's key stakeholders engage. The UCI, teams and riders, sponsors, race organizers, and the cycling industry must collaborate to build a better future for the sport and its fans. The best outcomes happen when everyone has a seat at the table. We're more optimistic than ever that through open communication and shared goals we can create a safer, more inclusive sport. Innovation and safety are not opposing forces — in fact quite the opposite. They go hand in hand. Our goal is simple: an open, transparent, and participative process that delivers meaningful safety improvements in racing, protects rider choice, and encourages innovation for the future of cycling." — Ken Lousberg, SRAM CEO
