The DSM team has confirmed that its riders will use integrated tire pressure management systems at Paris-Roubaix, which means that riders will be able to adjust the pressure of the controls on their handlebars as the race progresses.
Earlier today the UCI officially cleared the technology, in a press release which confirmed that a specific product – the Scope Atmoz – will be allowed in road racing.
Dutch company Scope has developed the technology, together with the DSM team, to allow riders to adjust the movement of tire pressure while riding, both by inflating and deflating pressure.
This is done using an air reservoir housed in the hub, which is then connected via mechanical valves and a hose to the rim and tubeless tire. Via controls on the handlebars, tire pressure can be electronically controlled and tracked in real time directly from a bike computer.
“Authorized in accordance with article 1.3.004 of the UCI Regulations, the tire pressure management system is controlled by buttons on the handlebars and uses mechanical valves to regulate the flow of air between the air tank and the tubeless tyre,” the UCI statement said. “The system does not alter the structural integrity of the axle and contains no moving parts or compressors.”
After leaving, Cycling news initially contacted UCI innovation manager Michael Rogers to confirm adoption of the new technology in racing. He replied, “Yeah, that’s the real deal.”
Cycling news also learned that the DSM team intends to use the technology at Paris-Roubaix this weekend and will officially unveil their new system to the public on Friday.
The system would likely add weight to the hub and rim. However, there would be substantial rolling resistance gains in a mixed-terrain event like Paris-Roubaix. Riders typically run low pressures to better adapt to wild cobbled sections—last year Lizzie Deignan ran her tires at just 33 psi.
If a rider could then switch back to higher pressure for the Tarmac sections of the race, this would provide substantial gains in rolling resistance: “up to 30 watts of reduced rolling resistance,” claims Scope’s product page.
In accordance with UCI rule 1.3.006, to be used in professional racing the system must be commercially available to amateur riders. Scope currently lists the Scope Atmoz wheel for sale for €3,304 on its website.
A similar system was launched by Gravaa last year, targeting the gravel bike and mountain bike sector, and White Crow launched a more mechanical solution in 2015.
Cycling news reached out to several bike teams and brands to discuss the technology, with some saying they experimented with the concept after the sodden Paris-Roubaix last year, but were unconvinced by the overall gains of a such race.
Most teams and brands focus on the aerodynamics of their bikes and the benefits of tubeless tire configurations, preferring to avoid the risk of new technologies at an event as prestigious as Paris-Roubaix. If successful in Roubaix, however, we could see the technology adopted by more teams at the Tour de France this year, where Stage 5 will be staged over 11 cobbled sectors.
The UCI rule follows Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious)’s innovative use of a dropper post at Milan San-Remo, where he argued his choice of equipment would become commonplace: “Now I think everyone is going to start using dropper posts.”
Paris-Roubaix has always been a hotbed of innovation in endurance cycling technology, with some new comfort features becoming mainstream, while others quickly went out of style. We’ll be eager to see how adjustable tire pressure can be used strategically while racing.