The Belgian Competition Authority has launched an investigation into the International Cycling Union’s (UCI) recently introduced technical standard limiting the maximum gear ratio in professional road cycling events.
The standard, which caps gearing at the equivalent of a 54-tooth chainring paired with an 11-tooth sprocket (54×11), entered a test phase on 1 August 2025. The Authority received a complaint alleging that the “Maximum Gearing” rule is not objectively justified on safety grounds, was adopted without sufficient transparency, and could have discriminatory and disproportionate effects on competition. Specifically, the complainant claims the rule may distort the market for high-performance transmission systems and influence team participation in professional cycling events.
Citing serious indications of a potential restriction of competition, the Prosecutor General has initiated proceedings under Article IV.39, 2° of the Belgian Code of Economic Law (CEL). The investigation will assess whether the UCI’s adoption of the “Maximum Gearing” standard constitutes an anticompetitive decision by an association of undertakings in breach of 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 under Articles IV.2 CEL and 102 TFEU.
The case has been assigned the reference number CONC-RPR-25-0032. Authorities emphasized that the opening of the investigation does not prejudge its outcome and that the UCI will be fully involved throughout the proceedings.
The investigation is a rare example of competition authorities examining technical rules in professional sports, showing how sports governance can intersect with EU competition law.
