{"id":246963,"date":"2026-06-05T19:08:57","date_gmt":"2026-06-05T19:08:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/05\/uci-to-appeal-srams-victory-in-gear-ratio-restriction-case-to-belgiums-high-court\/"},"modified":"2026-06-05T19:08:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T19:08:57","slug":"uci-to-appeal-srams-victory-in-gear-ratio-restriction-case-to-belgiums-high-court","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/05\/uci-to-appeal-srams-victory-in-gear-ratio-restriction-case-to-belgiums-high-court\/","title":{"rendered":"UCI to appeal SRAM&#8217;s victory in gear ratio restriction case to Belgium&#8217;s high court"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p id=\"elk-9ec9ad10-2288-4b06-b902-747f5ded8d39\">Cycling&#8217;s governing body is doubling down on its insistence that gear ratios are the answer to <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/rules\/safety\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/rules\/safety\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/rules\/safety\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">safety in professional cycling<\/a>. Following the meeting of the UCI Management Committee, the federation issued a press release on Friday, noting its intent to appeal a Belgian court&#8217;s decision to block the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/news\/riders-own-mistake-the-most-common-cause-of-crashes-says-safety-body-as-race-for-gear-ratio-tests-confirmed\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/news\/riders-own-mistake-the-most-common-cause-of-crashes-says-safety-body-as-race-for-gear-ratio-tests-confirmed\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/news\/riders-own-mistake-the-most-common-cause-of-crashes-says-safety-body-as-race-for-gear-ratio-tests-confirmed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UCI&#8217;s gear restriction test<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Recommended by SafeR, the maximum gear ratio test was intended to gather riders&#8217; views on the relevance of introducing gear ratio limitations in professional road cycling as a means of improving safety,&#8221; the UCI stated in its press release.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-9ec9ad10-2288-4b06-b902-747f5ded8d39-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;In light of the Brussels Court of Appeal&#8217;s decision, and concerned by both the very low threshold applied by the BCA for imposing interim measures and the limited scope of the Court of Appeal&#8217;s review in the appeal proceedings, the Management Committee confirmed the UCI&#8217;s intention to lodge an appeal before the Belgian Court of Cassation [Belgium&#8217;s Supreme Court -ed].&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel=\"\" data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\\\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\\\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header=\"\">\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-mobile\"\/><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container=\"\">\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Safety has been at the forefront of the UCI&#8217;s agenda for the past five years, and a spate of <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/news\/van-der-poel-eclipses-another-speed-record-in-paris-roubaix-why-are-the-spring-classics-becoming-so-fast\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/news\/van-der-poel-eclipses-another-speed-record-in-paris-roubaix-why-are-the-spring-classics-becoming-so-fast\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/news\/van-der-poel-eclipses-another-speed-record-in-paris-roubaix-why-are-the-spring-classics-becoming-so-fast\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">record speeds in races like Paris-Roubaix<\/a> led the federation to introduce a Maximum Gear Ratio Standard that was to be tested during the 2025 season.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The limit would rule out any gear ratios exceeding the equivalent of a 54-tooth chainring and 10-tooth cog, which would propel a rider 10.46 metres per pedal stroke.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"&#10;            flex&#10;            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold&#10;        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, SRAM pushed back against the rules, which would have forced them to mechanically disable its 10-tooth cog. SRAM is the only manufacturer of cassettes with 10-tooth cogs, and is disproportionately affected by the proposed UCI limits.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/news\/its-implementation-has-already-caused-tangible-harm-sram-launches-legal-challenge-against-uci-gear-restrictions\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/news\/its-implementation-has-already-caused-tangible-harm-sram-launches-legal-challenge-against-uci-gear-restrictions\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/news\/its-implementation-has-already-caused-tangible-harm-sram-launches-legal-challenge-against-uci-gear-restrictions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SRAM argued that there is no evidence that higher gear ratios correlate with an increased risk of crashing<\/a>. Speeds are dependent not just on gear ratios, but on crank length, pedal revolutions per minute and tyre width\/wheel size.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-xCcgkPQNNoPNq3GgHj7oy9\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-xCcgkPQNNoPNq3GgHj7oy9 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\"\/>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The company claimed in their suit that the rules cause them reputational damage and potential civil liability, loss of retailer and OEM support, erosion of global market share, and &#8216;up to a decade of reinvestment to recover&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Although the UCI refers to the Maximum Gearing Protocol as a &#8216;test&#8217;, its implementation has already caused tangible harm,&#8221; the company said in a statement last September. &#8220;SRAM&#8217;s gearing has been publicly labelled as non-compliant, creating reputational damage, market confusion, team and athlete anxiety, and potential legal exposure.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In October, 2025, the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/rules\/victory-for-sram-as-uci-loses-appeal-over-gear-restriction-trial\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/rules\/victory-for-sram-as-uci-loses-appeal-over-gear-restriction-trial\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/rules\/victory-for-sram-as-uci-loses-appeal-over-gear-restriction-trial\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) sided with SRAM<\/a> and blocked the UCI&#8217;s plan for a gear restriction test at the Tour of Guangxi. Following a lengthy exchange of writs, a public hearing was held in April where the Brussels Markets Court upheld the BCA&#8217;s decision. The case was finalised on May 21, with the UCI being ordered to pay nominal fees to the BCA, among others.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/safety\/exclusive-uci-to-fight-sram-legal-battle-with-funds-from-sram-sponsored-teams-as-safer-budget-used-for-gear-limit-case\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/safety\/exclusive-uci-to-fight-sram-legal-battle-with-funds-from-sram-sponsored-teams-as-safer-budget-used-for-gear-limit-case\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/safety\/exclusive-uci-to-fight-sram-legal-battle-with-funds-from-sram-sponsored-teams-as-safer-budget-used-for-gear-limit-case\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The UCI has already set aside \u20ac300,000 from the safety initiative SafeR&#8217;s budget<\/a> to fight the case, despite several SRAM-sponsored teams being obliged to contribute to the SafeR budget.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/safety\/uci-to-appeal-srams-victory-in-gear-ratio-restriction-case-to-belgiums-high-court\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cycling&#8217;s governing body is doubling down on its insistence that gear ratios are the answer to safety in professional cycling. Following the meeting of the UCI Management Committee, the federation issued a press release on Friday, noting its intent to appeal a Belgian court&#8217;s decision to block the UCI&#8217;s gear restriction test. &#8220;Recommended by SafeR, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":246964,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6804],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-246963","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246963","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=246963"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/246963\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/246964"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=246963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=246963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=246963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}