Governing body makes approved sticker cheaper; A look at and what the teams are riding
Welcome to the first ever edition of VeloNation’s tech news round up, bringing you the big news from the cycle industry and what the top teams are riding.
UCI lowers the cost of its Frame and Fork approval procedure
The International Cycling Union (UCI) has announced that it is to lower the cost of its new approval procedure for all frames and forks to be used in UCI competition, according to Bike Europe. The proposals, which were to be adopted on January 1st, were postponed after objections from the bike industry, who claimed that the high cost of the system could bankrupt small framebuilders and that it would mean an increase in consumer prices.
The price of the “Comprehensive” procedure, which now only applies to monocoque time trial and track frames, has been reduced from CHF12,000 to CHF5,000; the new “Intermediate” procedure, which applies to monocoque frames used in road races and cyclocross and applies to all models with backdated approval, will cost CHF3,000; the “Simplified” procedure, which applies to tubular frames has been reduced from CHF800 to CHF500.
The reduced costs have been welcomed by the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI).
“We are very pleased that the costs for the bicycle brands and manufacturers have been adapted to a more reasonable level”, said WFSGI Secretary General Robbert de Kock. “It shows that the UCI has taken the inputs of the industry seriously and I am convinced that the constructive dialog from the Aigle meeting will continue.”
The “UCI approved” sticker will now no longer carry a date, but a serial number, to avoid the stigma of older dates on frames that were approved long before.
Mavic stays on as Garmin-Cervélo wheel and tyre sponsor
Mavic will be one of the few Garmin-Cervélo technical sponsors left over from 2010, the French wheel manufacturer has announced. The team has switched from Felt bikes to those of its co-sponsor with the team machines virtually identical to those ridden by the Cervélo TestTeam last year; apart from the wheels.
“Like all of our sponsors, Mavic is committed to providing our riders with the best technology possible,” said Jonathan Vaughters, CEO of Slipstream Sports. “This partnership is all about technology, and Mavic will work closely with our riders, mechanics and staff to continue to develop the best possible wheel/tyre systems.”
Riders on the American team will use Cosmic Carbone Ultimate WTS, R-Sys SLR WTS and Cosmic Carbone SLR WTS for racing, and Ksyriums for training.
Rotor adds ProTeams to sponsored roster
Rotor is one of the technical sponsors to be carried over from the Cervélo TestTeam to Garmin-Cervélo. The Spanish company will provide both the men’s and women’s teams with its elliptical Q-Ring chainrings, 3D+ cranksets for both road and time trial frames, bottom brackets and chain catchers.
“The philosophy of innovative solutions, product development and rider evaluation remains strong” said Ignacio Estellés, CEO of ROTOR “The team now contains more time trial specialists as well as spring classics riders, including the UCI World Champion [Thor Hushovd], plus an extensive list of National Champions. These athletes will help us in achieving our competition goals whilst developing more effective products, born in real-world racing conditions”.
Garmin-Cervélo is the second ProTeam to be sponsored by Rotor after Dutch team Vacansoleil-DCM. The company also sponsor Professional Continental teams Geox-TMC, after a long association with its predecessor Footon-Servetto, and Saur-Sojasun; Rotor also provides components to the Nederland Bloeit women’s team of Marianne Vos.
Sidi continues partnership with Liquigas-Cannondale
The Italian Liquigas-Cannonadale team of Ivan Basso and Vincenzo Nibali will be wearing Sidi shoes for another year. The Veneto company has produced a special “bronze” version for the team, which features accents in the team’s acid-green and royal blue colours. The new design was presented, along with the new subtler-than-last-year uniform at the team’s presentation earlier this month.
“Feet, and therefore shoes, are fundamental for any cyclist,” says a statement from Sidi, “they mark the point where the athlete becomes one with his bike, where the human and mechanical components meld to make a difference.”
Riders have a choice between the marques two top models: the Genius 6.6 Carbon Lite and the Ergo 2 Carbon Lite. Basso reportedly prefers the former, while Nibali chooses the latter.
Sidi will also supply the team with socks and overshoes.