Visma left stunned as UCI bans tyre pressure system days before Paris-Roubaix - 'This is no coincidence'

The system, developed by Dutch company Gravaa, allowed riders to adjust tyre pressure during the race, lowering it on cobbled sectors and increasing it again on asphalt. The team has used the technology over the past two seasons and had continued testing and refining it throughout the winter.

“We have worked with the Gravaa system over the past two years. We developed it further and tested it a lot during the winter. But two weeks ago we received a letter saying it is banned by the UCI. Then it stops immediately,” said Mathieu Heijboer, Head of Performance at Visma | Lease a Bike, at the In de Waaier podcast.

According to the team, the UCI’s decision is linked to uncertainty around the commercial availability of the product after Gravaa was declared bankrupt earlier this year. Under current regulations, equipment used in competition must be available to the public.

“It is a bit of a vague story,” Heijboer said. “The reason given is that the company has gone bankrupt. Shortly after there was a restart, but because of the situation the UCI doubts the commercial availability.”

Heijboer questioned that reasoning, insisting the system remains accessible. “You can order one if you want,” he said. “There is no rule that says a tyre has to be available two weeks or two months beforehand. The moment of use is the race, and if it is commercially available then, you meet the rules.”

The timing of the decision has also raised eyebrows within the team. Visma Lease a Bike used the system as recently as the GP Denain without issue, and say there had been no prior warning from the governing body.

“We received no announcement that this was coming, there was just that letter,” Heijboer said. “After Denain, the biggest cobbled race after Roubaix, there was no problem. Now there is. That is no coincidence.”

The team briefly considered an appeal but decided against it given the limited time before Paris-Roubaix.

“We have thought about an appeal, but that would mean a full procedure. Given our previous experiences, we do not think it would be successful in the short term,” Heijboer said. “It was communicated on such short notice that we just have to accept it.”

The absence of the system is expected to have an impact on performance in a race where marginal gains can be decisive. Asked directly whether it affects the team’s chances, Heijboer’s response was brief: “Yes.”

The technology had attracted attention for its potential to offer a competitive advantage on the cobbles, allowing riders to adapt their setup in real time to the changing terrain. It was used successfully in recent editions of Paris-Roubaix and had been seen as a key part of the team’s preparation for this year’s race.

For now, however, the system will not be seen in the men’s race this weekend. “We’ve chosen not to use it,” Heijboer said. “But we will challenge this decision later.”