The UCI has fired back after Belgian regulators announced a formal investigation into its plan to test gear-ratio restrictions in men\u2019s and women\u2019s pro road racing.<\/p>\n
The Belgian Competition Authority said Thursday it had opened an inquiry into the UCI\u2019s \u201cadoption of a technical standard limiting the maximum gear ratio allowed in professional road cycling events.\u201d The move comes a day after SRAM, one of cycling\u2019s biggest component makers, announced it was taking the governing body to court over the same rule.<\/p>\n
Unfair to riders?<\/p>\n
SRAM argued in an open letter that the UCI\u2019s cap on maximum gearing<\/a> was unfair to riders and distorted innovation in equipment. The company said its lawsuit aimed to defend both athletes\u2019 choice and consumer access, adding the rule would undermine developments in drivetrain technology.<\/p>\n The test is scheduled for the Tour of Guangxi in October. The UCI said the idea was recommended by SafeR.<\/a> That is a group representing riders, teams, organizers and the federation \u2014 and was designed to reduce crash risks.<\/p>\n In a sharply worded statement, the UCI said it was \u201cpuzzled\u201d by the Belgian authority\u2019s release, arguing the regulator hadn\u2019t even served it with the complaint and had omitted key facts. \u201cOnly then would the UCI potentially consider any changes to the regulations,\u201d the federation said, noting the trial was exploratory and not binding.<\/p>\n