International

STEINHAUSEN, Switzerland (BRAIN) — Australia-based clothing maker Skins announced Monday that it was suing the world cycling body UCI. The press release did not say where the suit would be filed. Skins did not sponsor Lance Armstrong.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN) — The industry’s Taiwanese contingent may find it friendlier to travel to the U.S. in the future thanks to a newly eased visa requirement.
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (BRAIN) — The city center of Argentina’s capital city hosted its first ShimanoFest this past weekend, a two-day expo and race designed to expose everyday folks in Latin America to elite cycling.
LOUGHTON, U.K. (BRAIN) — Austin, Texas-based urban bike company Fairdale has picked up Triton Imports as its exclusive distributor in the U.K.
OSAKA, Japan (BRAIN) — Growing sales in North America and Asia boosted Shimano’s sales over the first nine months of the year to $2.3 billion (182.7 billion Yen), compared to $2 billion (161.6 billion Yen) over the same period last year.
ALMERE, the Netherlands (BRAIN) — Pon Holdings continues its buying spree with the addition of Union Bicycles to its fast-growing Pon Bicycle Group division.
SOUTH MELBOURNE, Australia (BRAIN) — Australia’s custom framebuilding community is gearing up for its first show, a reflection of the wide-reaching rebirth in handcrafted bicycles.
HELSINKI, Finland (BRAIN) — Mavic sales rose 7 percent in the third quarter of the year led by increased sales in helmets, apparel and footwear, according to an earnings report released by Amer Sports.
GRAND JUNCTION, CO (BRAIN) — DT Swiss has promoted Dwayne Weddle to its global sales team, where he will be responsible for OEM sales support.
TAICHUNG, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Taiwanese manufacturer JD Group will show a new electric bike motor targeted at North American bike makers at next month's Taichung Bike Week, a major original equipment spec' event.
AIGLE, Switzerland (BRAIN) — The international cycling union UCI on Monday drove the final nail into Lance Armstrong's doping punishment, announcing that it would not appeal the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's finding that Armstrong doped for much of his professional career.
CHICAGO, IL (BRAIN) — SRAM Inc. on Thursday announced it was ending its relationship with Lance Armstrong, who used the company's components during his comeback to the sport in 2009 and 2010. SRAM also clarified that Armstrong no longer owned any share in the company.
NIENBURG, Germany (BRAIN) — A massive fire ripped through two warehouses at German manufacturer and distributor Hartje on Tuesday evening, destroying thousands of bicycles and bike parts and racking up millions of dollars in damages.
CLOPPENBURG, Germany (BRAIN) — Pon Holding on Tuesday said it would pay the last shareholders of Derby Cycle 31.56 euros per share to buy out the remaining 5 percent interest in the company.
TAIPEI, Taiwan (BRAIN) — Taiwanese manufacturer Velocite Bikes has partnered with electronics giant Acer to demonstrate in real time the airflow benefits of its new aero road frame.
BETHEL, CT (BRAIN) — Cannondale has dropped one of its non-U.S. distributors that Cannondale said sold some of its bikes to the Costco warehouse chain.
SCHWEINFURT, Germany (BRAIN)—Accell Group is poised to enter the U.S. market with its Haibike brand next year, deepening the Dutch company’s commitment to North America.

PORTLAND, OR (BRAIN) — Babici, a relatively new high-end road cycling clothing line based in Australia, is coming to shore in the U.S. next season. The brand's exclusive U.S. online retailer will be Competitive Cyclist; the company also will be looking to sell to independent bike dealers.
NUNSPEET, Netherlands (BRAIN) — Effective january 1, Matthias Reinacher will become managing director of Pearl Izumi Europe, the company announced Monday. Reinacher is currently the senior brand manager of the Shimano-owned company.

CARLSBAD, CA (BRAIN) — Focus Bicycles is returning to the WorldTour with a three-year agreement to sponsor France's Ag2r-La Mondiale team. The brand will be the technical sponsor of the team, which will ride a new Izalco Team SL model for the 2013 season.