The Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) has opened an investigation into the International Cycling Union (UCI) concerning a technical standard that restricts the maximum gear ratio in professional road cycling events. This investigation was prompted by a complaint alleging that the standard, which limits the gear ratio to a 54-tooth chainring with an 11-tooth sprocket, is not justified on safety grounds and was adopted without sufficient transparency.

The complainant argues that the new standard could lead to discriminatory and disproportionate effects, distorting competition in the market for high-performance transmission systems and affecting teams' participation in professional cycling events. The BCA's investigation will assess whether the UCI's decision constitutes an anticompetitive action under Belgian and European competition laws.

The investigation will focus on potential violations of Articles IV.1 and IV.2 of the Code of Economic Law and Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. The UCI will be fully involved in the proceedings, and the outcome of the investigation remains to be seen.