The UCI responds that it is "bewildered" by SRAM's complaint

The response from the International Cycling Union has not been long in coming after it was revealed that SRAM, through the Belgian Competition Authority, had initiated legal actions against the UCI for its plan to limit the maximum development of the bike, which would make the groups of the American firm illegal. The governing body argues that it follows the recommendations of SafeR and its sole objective is to improve safety.

UCI questions SRAM's objectives by opposing a measure that seeks to improve safety

Shielding themselves in the fact that the limitation of maximum developments is only a test that will take place at the Tour of Guangxi, between October 14 and 19, which is a measure aimed at improving safety in cycling and claiming that they have consulted all interested parties, the UCI shakes off the commotion caused by the announcement by SRAM and the Belgian Competition Authority of filing a complaint with European authorities for violation of antitrust laws.

According to the UCI statements, which you can read in full on this organization's website, the first responding to the Belgian Competition Authority and the second in response to SRAM's announcement, the Maximum Transmission Ratio Test Protocol, as this test has been named, follows a recommendation from SafeR, an organization that includes representatives from teams, cyclists, organizers, as well as the UCI itself.

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It is argued that the increase in maximum speeds constitutes a risk factor and mentions the majority support they have received through the questionnaire sent to cyclists. Of course, it is also mentioned that this protocol is not aimed at any specific brand or supplier while, according to the UCI, they maintain an open dialogue with manufacturers.

However, precisely what SRAM criticized is that the brands have not been taken into account and that the determination of what would be the maximum development allowed has been made taking into account the maximum ratio used by their main rival (and sponsor of the UCI).

The UCI also criticizes that it does not understand the filing of the complaint at this time when no changes have yet been made to the regulations and that, for the time being, only the test will be carried out during the Tour of Guangxi.

SRAM's complaint against the maximum development test is a new fire when a month ago the UCI suffered the rebellion of several women's teams that opposed the GPS locator test that took place during the Tour of Romandie and that are being used these days at the World Championship in Kigali. In fact, the UCI statement also refers to this incident, alluding to the need for collective effort to achieve safety improvement in races.