Track bike and equipment prices to be capped ahead of 2028 Olympics, UCI rules
The UCI has announced that it will introduce price caps on track bikes and related equipment for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, following the skyrocketing costs seen in Paris 2024.
Cycling’s governing body says the move will “reinforce the integrity of competitions by preventing excessive cost barriers,” though exact limits and enforcement mechanisms are yet to be revealed. From 1 January 2027, maximum prices will apply to framesets, forks, wheels, handlebars and extensions, helmets, and skinsuits.
The decision is claimed to ensure “participants from all nations have fair access to equipment.” Building on existing commercial availability rules requiring Olympic kit to be registered and raced ahead of the Games. The primary reason behind this rule is to allow other nations to inspect or purchase the equipment.
The shift comes after the cost of track bikes soared in Paris. Japan’s V-IZU TCM2 topped the price list at a staggering €126,555, while Italy’s 3D-printed Pinarello MOST extensions were €22,500. Only three years prior, at the Tokyo games, the most expensive bike was the Worx WX-R Vorteq Track used by the Malaysian cycling team, costing €28,000.
With price caps looming and radical designs like Hope's HB.T facing regulatory hurdles, federations and manufacturers will be forced back to the drawing board to balance performance with cost. The implications this will have on the racing itself will only become apparent in time.
