Belgian Competition Authority suspends UCI’s Maximum Gear Ratio Standard in professional cycling
On 9 October 2025, at the request of SRAM, a sports equipment supplier, the Belgian Competition Authority (“BCA”) adopted a decision imposing interim measures to suspend the implementation of a technical standard adopted by the International Cycling Union (“UCI”) that limits the maximum gear ratio permitted in professional road cycling events to a transmission ratio of 54x11 (the “Maximum Gear Ratio Standard”).
The BCA’s decision follows its earlier announcement of 19 September 2025, in which it confirmed opening an investigation into the adoption of this standard. The investigation followed a complaint by SRAM alleging that the standard lacked objective justification on safety grounds and had been adopted through a non-transparent process. SRAM further argued that the standard distorted competition in the supply of high-performance transmission systems and in teams’ participation in professional road cycling events.
In its decision, the BCA emphasised that the adoption of technical standards must comply with fundamental principles of proportionality, objectivity, transparency and non-discrimination, especially when such standards have significant economic consequences. The BCA found that the standard and the procedure for its adoption failed to meet these requirements and consequently contravene Articles 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (“TFEU”) and IV.1 of the Belgian Code of Economic Law (“CEL”).
Moreover, the BCA found that the standard imposed disproportionate negative effects on SRAM, which is one of the two main suppliers of transmission systems for professional road bikes and currently the only major manufacturer without a product that complies with the 54x11 gear ratio limitation. The standard, adopted under “disputable conditions”, risks causing serious and irreparable harm to SRAM and to professional teams using its equipment. The BCA therefore found that the standard and the procedure for its adoption also contravene Articles 102 TFEU and IV.2 CEL.
Given the standard would be applied at the Tour of Guangxi starting on 14 October 2025, the BCA ordered the following interim measures as the urgency and prima facie had been demonstrated:
- The UCI must immediately suspend, no later than 13 October 2025, the implementation of the Maximum Gear Ratio Standard.
- The UCI is prohibited from imposing any transmission ratio limitations or taking any measure that directly or indirectly restricts the use of certain transmission systems in professional road cycling events, unless and until a new safety measure is adopted through a transparent, objective and non-discriminatory process, or a final decision is issued on the merits.
- The UCI must publish a press release within 24 hours of notification of the decision, stating that the Maximum Gear Ratio Standard is not applicable and referring to the BCA’s decision.
The BCA’s Investigation and Prosecution Service will monitor compliance with these interim measures. In the event of non-compliance, the BCA may impose penalty payments.
The investigation on the merits is ongoing.
This case 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 and proportionate governance when technical standards have market impact.
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