On October 9, the BCA concluded that the measure must be suspended. In its reasoning, the authority stated that the regulation had been adopted “under disputable conditions” and risked causing “serious and irreparable harm” to SRAM, which, unlike its main competitor, does not currently produce a transmission that fits the restriction. The ruling added that the impact would not only harm SRAM but also the professional teams and riders who rely on its equipment. Because of the urgency created by the fast-approaching Tour of Guangxi, the BCA ordered the UCI to suspend the rule immediately, no later than October 13.
The decision blocks the UCI from enforcing gear limits or any similar restrictions until a transparent, objective and non-discriminatory procedure is followed, or until a final judgment is delivered in the broader antitrust case. The BCA also stressed that implementation will be monitored by its Investigation and Prosecution Service, and warned that financial penalties may be imposed if the UCI fails to comply. The full decision will be published on the authority’s website in the coming days.
In response, the UCI acknowledged the ruling and confirmed that the gear ratio test would not take place at the Tour of Guangxi. However, the federation expressed surprise and disappointment, noting that the proposal had been designed in the interests of rider safety by limiting speeds. “The UCI expresses its surprise at the intervention of a competition authority on a subject desired by all stakeholders of cycling,” the organization stated, adding that it “deeply regrets that rider safety does not appear to be a shared objective” with those challenging the measure. The UCI also made clear it intends to appeal.
For SRAM, the ruling is an important step. Chief executive Ken Lousberg welcomed the outcome, describing the rule as “fundamentally unfair to SRAM riders, teams, and SRAM itself.” He explained that nine professional teams had joined the legal proceedings in Brussels to oppose the restriction, and argued that the decision shows the importance of fairness and transparency in cycling governance. Lousberg also called for a more collaborative model in the sport, saying that “innovation and safety are not opposing forces” and that the best results come when governing bodies, teams, riders, sponsors and industry partners all contribute to rule-making.
While the suspension is temporary, the implications are far-reaching. The ruling ensures that SRAM-equipped teams will not face a disadvantage in the season’s final race, but it also raises broader questions about how the UCI introduces technical standards. By intervening, the Belgian authority has made clear that competitive balance in the equipment market is a legitimate concern when sporting regulations risk distorting the field.
The legal battle is not over. The BCA’s intervention buys SRAM time, but the underlying antitrust proceedings continue under Belgian and European law. For the moment, however, the Tour of Guangxi will proceed without the contested restriction, leaving the future of gear ratio rules in professional cycling uncertain.
Conclusions
The Belgian ruling is only provisional, but it highlights a growing tension between sporting governance and competition law in professional cycling. For the UCI, it’s a reminder that safety regulations must be built on processes that are beyond legal doubt, but also fair, introduced with enough anticipation for teams and manufacturers to adapt, and carefully formulated—since whether rules are set as absolute or relative standards can strongly influence both individual manufacturers and the fairness of the playing field. What happens next could reshape how technical standards are created in the sport, and whether innovation and fairness can truly move hand in hand.
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Text & Fotos: Robin Schmitt
