According to WielerFlits, both teams will take to the start line this year with their own adjustable pressure system. This would mark the first time an adjustable tyre pressure system has been used in a WorldTour race.
WielerFlits also reports that 2022 Paris-Roubaix winner Dylan Van Baarle has been testing the Gravaa KAPS system during training and so could, in theory, use it on Sunday.
Jumbo-Visma have still to confirm their line-up and reveal which riders will use the Gravaa system. A decision could come after their final reconnaissance of the Paris-Roubaix cobbles on Thursday.
Team DSM has been testing the Scope Atmoz 'management system' for over a year now. Riders from the team were initially confirmed to be using the system before last year's race but eventually stuck to their stock Dura-Ace wheelsets. The use of the technology was then again put on ice despite claims it would debut at the Tour de France.
Jumbo-Visma testing the Gravaa KAPS hub system at this year's Dwars door Vlaanderen. (Image credit: Cor Vos)
At Dwars door Vlaanderen it became apparent that Jumbo-Visma were also testing their own adjustable inflation system in the shape of the KAPS system from Gravaa after Eduardo Affini's Cervelo team bike was spotted fitted with the system. Affini was an eventual DNF in the race.
The system uses Bluetooth and handlebar-mounted controls to allow the riders to lower and raise tyre pressure on the fly, crucially without adding extra drag to the hubs.
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The Scope Atmoz tyre pressure management system is also hub mounted. (Image credit: Scope Cycling)
A wattage arms race at Roubaix?
Gravaa has published some of its Paris-Roubaix pressure testing findings on its website, and it's clear the terrain of the race has played a key part in the development of the system. There are potentially huge wattage savings from lower tyre pressures over cobbled sectors, paired with the ability to then raise them again on smoother roads.
These savings could represent some seriously low-hanging fruit for the team with a dependable pressure adjustment system that doesn't add extra drag or affect puncture resistance.
Dropping pressure but then losing the ability to raise it again must make teams nervous and racing with underinflated tyres on the races smoother roads would present a problem. Perhaps both teams have ironed out any potential niggles and are ready to push their advantage at this year's race.
We don't know which riders will be using the systems from either team but will report on anything we spot during team recons and the race itself, where Cyclingnews journalists will be reporting in person.
Tom joined the Cyclingnews team in late 2022 as tech writer. Tom has over 10 years experience as a qualified mechanic with 5 or so of those being spent running an independent workshop. Tom has ridden and raced bikes from an early age up to a national level on the road and track and has ridden and competed in most disciplines, even the odd bit of bike polo. Tom is as happy tinkering away in the garage as he is out on the road bike exploring the Worcestershire lanes.
