On September 12, 2025, SRAM filed a formal complaint with the Belgian Competition Authority (BCA) against the International Cycling Union (UCI), challenging the UCI Maximum Gear Ratio Protocol. On September 17, 2025, after reviewing SRAM's complaint, the BCA initiated a formal antitrust procedure under EU and Belgian competition laws.

The BCA's Attorney General will conduct an investigation and present the findings to the Competition College, the BCA's impartial decision-making body, for a final decision.

SRAM is challenging the UCI restrictions on gear ratio for selected events, which limit the gear opening to a maximum of 10.46 meters per pedal rotation, equivalent to a 54x11 gear configuration. This restriction excludes transmissions exceeding this threshold, primarily SRAM's Red AXS transmission in 54x10 configuration, the preferred choice of many professional SRAM teams.

SRAM is the only major manufacturer whose current configuration for professional teams will be blocked by the new UCI regulations, regulations that hinder innovation, limit cyclist choice, and unfairly disadvantage SRAM cyclists and SRAM itself.

SRAM has repeatedly attempted to engage the UCI and raise concerns about the Maximum Gearing Protocol's impact on cyclists, teams, and SRAM itself. Despite these efforts, the UCI leadership has refused to initiate meaningful dialogue about the rule's validity or its foundations. While SRAM continues to participate in technical discussions to help teams comply with restrictions in announced races with gear limitations, the lack of transparency and collaboration has left only one possible way forward: legal action.

"This protocol penalizes and discourages innovation and places our cyclists and teams in a competitive disadvantage. We could not have imagined today's transmissions when SRAM was founded almost 40 years ago, and we know that transmissions in the next decade will continue to evolution. We rely on the sport's governing body to promote an environment that encourages innovation for the benefit of today's and tomorrow's cyclists and athletes," said Ken Lousberg, SRAM CEO. "We also rely on the governing body to make significant, science-based changes for cyclist safety. We are the harshest critics of our equipment, used worldwide; safety is fundamental to us."

Although the UCI refers to the Maximum Gearing Protocol as a "test", its implementation has already caused tangible damage. The SRAM transmission system has been publicly labeled as non-compliant, creating reputation damage, market confusion, anxiety for teams and athletes, and potential legal exposure. For these reasons, SRAM has also requested an immediate injunction, suspending the transmission gear ratio limitation requirement at the Guangxi event and all future events.

If the transmission gear ratio limitation is not revoked, riders using unmodified SRAM transmissions risk disqualification and monetary penalties, and SRAM-sponsored teams will face immediate disadvantages affecting race results and potential sponsorship opportunities. Additionally, SRAM and its supplied teams have not been able to adequately test the transmission gear ratio limitation, creating unnecessary risks for riders equipped with SRAM.

The UCI has designated the Tour of Guangxi as the application race for these restrictions, but has indicated that other events might follow, leaving SRAM and its sponsored teams, both current and future, in a state of uncertainty.

"Calling it a test doesn't make it less serious," Lousberg stated. "All cyclists at the starting line should be able to compete on equal terms. Currently, SRAM-equipped teams will have to race at a disadvantage, with compromised equipment and fewer gear change options compared to competitors. Moreover, it's unclear what is being tested."

SRAM's complaint argues that the UCI Maximum Gear Ratio Protocol:
- Was adopted without consultation or transparency and lacks empirical evidence or any safety justification.
- Disadvantages cyclists equipped with SRAM in professional cycling races.
- Distorts competition in the road transmission market by limiting choices for professional teams and, ultimately, consumers, as SRAM relies on high-level teams for product use and marketing.
- Violates EU and Belgian competition law (Articles 101 and 102 of the TFEU).

Although the UCI has framed the protocol as a safety initiative, no evidence has been presented to support such claims. SRAM's analysis of Tour de France 2025 incident data, using telemetry and video footage, found no correlation between higher rollout configs and accident risk. Downhill falls were rare and occurred at speeds achievable with gear ratios from all WorldTour team suppliers.

SRAM has dedicated nearly a decade to developing a modern gear ratio philosophy that has reshaped road cycling and been adopted by weekend cyclists and Tour de France champions. SRAM intentionally went beyond 11 teeth as the lowest ratio, favoring a more innovative transmission architecture. Complying with the protocol would require a complete redesign and technical step backward, a process that would take years.

Due to the UCI's unfounded claims, the public might already erroneously consider the SRAM ratio illegal, exposing SRAM to image damage and potential liabilities. If the restriction becomes permanent, retailers and OEMs might abandon SRAM products, jeopardizing SRAM's market share in high-performance road transmissions.

"We are proud of the position we have earned in the market in almost forty years," Lousberg stated. "We are not willing to give that up due to arbitrary transmission restrictions imposed by a governing body, and we will not back down without first presenting our reasons".

As part of its complaint, SRAM requests the immediate suspension of gear change restrictions, representation of bicycle and equipment manufacturers in the council responsible for equipment-related decisions and modifications, and the establishment of internal procedures ensuring future UCI regulatory efforts comply with EU competition law.

"Today, the UCI's actions unfairly penalize SRAM cyclists and SRAM," Lousberg said. "But given how the governing body makes its decisions – decisions like handlebar width, rim depth, recent transponder implementation, and team penalties in Romandie... even sock height – it's impossible to know who might be affected in the future. Through this process, we hope to create a more transparent and cooperative climate for teams and component suppliers, which ultimately leads to a better and safer sport for everyone".

SRAM is committed to ensuring cyclist safety, Fair competition, and open dialogue with all interested parties. SRAM believes that progress in cycling comes from collaboration, transparency, and a shared commitment to innovation. We are committed to cyclists worldwide and will continue to develop innovative and cutting-edge equipment that meets the highest safety and performance standards. SRAM looks forward to helping build a better future for cyclists and cycling enthusiasts.