Past Global Championships and winners’ jerseys, there are only a few puts you’ll spot the well-known rainbow bands. This is as a result of they are owned and strictly managed via the UCI.
Alternatively, we’ve got been in a position, completely legitimately, to show them on our motorcycles due to an settlement between biking’s governing frame and an iconic US motorbike logo.
However that settlement has now come to an finish.
Primarily based in San Carlos, California, Ritchey produces the whole thing motorbike, from frames, to wheels to parts. Its ‘Global Championship Sequence’ completing package options the rainbow bands – blue, crimson, black, yellow and inexperienced, along a ‘WCS’ brand. Not more although.
The settlement between Ritchey and the UCI expired on the finish of 2024, and “is not eligible for renewal”, mentioned Ritchey on its web site.
It defined: “After 30-plus years of a logo synonymous with victories at Union Cycliste International (UCI) World Cup and Championship races, the time has come for Ritchey — in accordance with UCI regulations — to retire the iconic rainbow stripes that dignify world champions in all cycling disciplines.
“The settlement between the UCI and Ritchey to make use of the sector champion stripes expired on the finish of 2024 and isn’t eligible for renewal. Ritchey want to recognize the decades-long partnership and thank the UCI for the usage of the distinguished image.”
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Ritchey’s WCS kit is lightweight, high quality and has always been instantly recognisable thanks to its multi-coloured logo. It’s also extremely popular, and there’s a good chance plenty of riders reading this piece will have it fitted to a bike in their garage or shed.
It will be harder to spot now though, with Ritchey swapping to a muted set of metallic grey stripes alongside the WCS letters.
The US company, owned by Tom Ritchey, says it is “the beginning of a brand new generation”, adding: “Ritchey has developed past natural racing as our ethos. By means of retiring the championship colours, we go beyond the constraints imposed via a unique center of attention on pageant, whilst staying true to the elite high quality we’re identified for.”
The variability options the whole thing from bars to stems, seatposts, saddles and headsets, manufactured in carbon or aluminium. Riders will nonetheless be capable to use their outdated WCS package, resplendent on this planet champ’s stripes, however if you are specifically keen on it do be sure to take care of it, since the alternative can be a long way much less vibrant.
