Belgian Competition Authority investigates maximum gearing standards in professional cycling

On 19 September 2025, the Belgian Competition Authority (“BCA”) announced that, following a complaint, it has opened an investigation into the adoption by the Union Cycliste Internationale (“UCI”) of a technical standard limiting the maximum gear ratio permitted in professional road cycling events.

The contested measure, referred to as the “Maximum Gearing” standard, restricts competitors to a gear ratio equivalent to a 54-tooth chainring with an 11-tooth sprocket (54x11). The complainant challenges the adoption of this standard on the basis that the measure is neither objectively justified on safety grounds nor the result of an open and transparent decision-making process. The complainant further alleges that the rule is likely to have immediate discriminatory and disproportionate effects by distorting competition in the supply of high-performance transmission systems and in teams’ participation in professional road cycling events.

In light of these concerns, the Prosecutor General of the BCA has opened proceedings under Article IV.39, 2° of the Belgian Code of Economic Law (“CEL”). The investigation will examine whether the UCI’s adoption of the “Maximum Gearing” standard may constitute:

• an anticompetitive decision by an association of undertakings contrary to Articles IV.1 CEL and 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (“TFEU”); and/or
• an abuse of a dominant position within the meaning of Articles IV.2 CEL and 102 TFEU.

If the BCA finds that the adoption of the “Maximum Gearing” standard infringes Belgian or EU competition law, it could order its withdrawal or amendment and impose fines or other remedies.

This investigation adds to a growing body of European and national case law scrutinising the regulatory decisions of sports organisations under competition rules, highlighting the need for transparent, proportionate and objectively justified measures when governing bodies adopt technical or organisation standards that have market impact.

Annabelle Lepièce, partner, and Tatiana Dragojevic, junior associate, CMS Belgium, e-mail: Annabelle.lepièce@cms-db.com and Tatiana.dragojevic@cms-db.com