Cycling’s international governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), is facing an antitrust complaint filed with the European Commission over alleged anti-competitive practices.
The complaint, submitted on February 21, was lodged by a Scottish father on behalf of his 18-year-old son, a competitive bike trial rider, highlighting concerns over UCI’s rules and sanctions against athletes participating in non-UCI events, Reuters reported.
Allegations Against UCI
The complaint alleges that UCI abuses its dominant position in the cycling industry by enforcing regulations that restrict athletes from competing in events organized by rival organizations. Specifically, the complaint claims that UCI’s sanctions—which can include fines of up to 100,000 Swiss francs ($111,470) and bans from UCI events—are disproportionate, particularly when applied to young riders.
The controversy began in 2022 when UCI sent letters to riders and national federations across several European countries, including Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and the UK, discouraging participation in non-UCI events. These warnings were issued just before the European Championships organized by the BikeTrial International Union (BIU), an independent entity managing bike trial competitions.
David Johnson, the complainant, stated that his son had received one such letter, along with other young riders, some as young as eight years old. He criticized the UCI’s restrictions, arguing that they force young athletes to choose between their passion for the sport and their future in professional cycling. “No child should be forced to choose between participating in the sport they love and their future in elite competition,” Johnson said. He called on UCI to end what he described as unfair and unjustifiable restrictions that contradict the organization’s mission to promote cycling accessibility and inclusion.
UCI’s Response and Legal Precedents
UCI has denied any wrongdoing, stating that it has not been formally notified of any legal complaints regarding its regulations on license-holders’ participation in non-sanctioned events. The governing body defended its policies, arguing that its rules ensure event organization meets high standards in areas such as technical requirements, safety, and anti-doping regulations. “The UCI is confident that the associated rules applicable to license-holders fully comply with competition law,” the organization stated in an email.
This case follows a significant legal precedent set by Europe’s top court in 2023, which ruled against the International Skating Union (ISU) for penalizing speed skaters who participated in lucrative independent competitions. That ruling, sparked by complaints from two Dutch Olympic speed skaters, reinforced the principle that governing bodies cannot unfairly restrict athletes from engaging in rival sporting events.
Potential Impact
The complaint against UCI underscores the growing trend of athletes challenging sports governing bodies on competition law grounds. If the European Commission pursues an investigation and rules against UCI, it could lead to significant reforms in the governance of competitive cycling, potentially allowing greater participation in independent events without fear of sanctions.
As the case unfolds, stakeholders in the cycling community will be closely monitoring the European Commission’s response and the potential implications for the future of competitive cycling.
