The UCI has expressed concern over the Belgian Competition Authority’s (BCA) announcement that it has opened an investigation into its proposed gearing restrictions, following a formal complaint filed by SRAM.
The BCA confirmed on 19 September that it had begun looking into "the adoption by the International Cycling Union of a technical standard limiting the maximum gear ratio allowed in professional road cycling events." The move came after SRAM alleged the UCI’s Maximum Gearing Protocol unfairly disadvantaged its equipment and riders.
- SRAM announces it is taking legal action against UCI over gearing restrictions: "its implementation has already caused tangible harm”
- SRAM CEO Ken Lousberg: “We tried to engage UCI… but our concerns went unheard”
- UCI to trial ban on huge gears – and SRAM riders now have a big problem
- The UCI has just announced huge changes to its tech regulations – and some industry insiders are furious
In a response published on its website, the UCI said it is "puzzled by the issuance of the Belgian Competition Authority’s press release before the UCI has even been served with the complaint and by the obvious inaccuracies contained in this statement".
The governing body added that it "understands that the investigation relates to the maximum gearing test which will be carried out at the 2025 Tour of Guangxi taking place from 14 to 19 October 2025”.
According to the UCI, "the test had been communicated by the UCI on 20 June and 3 July and a dedicated ‘test protocol’ adopted by the UCI Management Committee at its meeting of 10-12 June 2025 to enable the implementation of the test".
The organisation said: "The test was recommended by SafeR, the entity which gathers the representatives of riders, teams, organisers and the UCI, with the purpose of increasing the safety in men’s and women’s professional cycling, in particular for riders".
The UCI argued that "the statement does not reflect the fact that the UCI has publicly indicated that it will consider the findings of this test before considering if further tests are relevant in 2026. Only then, would the UCI potentially consider any changes to the regulations".
It continued: "Even more surprisingly, the release does not even deem it necessary to indicate that the test… is aimed at exploring measures aimed at increasing rider safety, which is a fundamental prerogative of all sport governing bodies."
SRAM disagrees, saying in a statement published on 19 September that: "Although the UCI refers to the Maximum Gearing Protocol as a ‘test’, its implementation has already caused tangible harm.
"SRAM’s gearing has been publicly labelled as non-compliant, creating reputational damage, market confusion, team and athlete anxiety, and potential legal exposure."
SRAM CEO Ken Lousberg added: "This protocol penalises and discourages innovation and puts our riders and teams at a competitive disadvantage. We rely on the sport’s governing body to foster an environment that encourages innovation for the benefit of riders and racers today, and riders in the future. We also rely on the governing body to make science-based, impactful changes for rider safety."
The governing body says it is "confident that its proposal to test limitations to gearing is compliant with EU and Belgian competition law", adding that it feels "it is not the role of competition law to lead to a ‘levelling down’ in regulatory and safety standards".
The statement concluded: "The UCI will continue to collaborate with the stakeholders of cycling through SafeR for the improvement of safety and shall not make any further comments on these proceedings."
