Cycling’s governing body says it was blindsided by the BCA’s announcement and disputes key details of the case.
The UCI has responded to the opening of a competition investigation by the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA), expressing surprise that the regulator publicised the case before formally serving the complaint.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the UCI said it was “puzzled” by both the timing and content of the BCA’s release, arguing that it contained “obvious inaccuracies” and failed to acknowledge the safety-focused intent behind the proposed gearing test.
The investigation, confirmed by the BCA on 19 September, centres on the UCI’s planned maximum gearing trial, which is set for the 2025 Tour of Guangxi. SRAM, whose current 10T-cog-equipped road drivetrains would either fall foul of the proposed 10.46-metre rollout cap or well below it, has filed a formal legal complaint against the rule, alleging it distorts the drivetrain market and breaches EU competition law.
In its rebuttal, the UCI reiterated that the gearing rule is currently only a test, not a regulation, and that no decisions will be made until after its implementation and review. Effectively arguing that there is no case to be heard if a rule doesn’t yet exist. “The UCI has publicly indicated that it will consider the findings of this test before considering if further tests are relevant in 2026,” the statement reads.
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