Just a few days before Paris–Roubaix, it was revealed that the UCI had banned the Gravaa tyre inflation system used by Visma-Lease a Bike and developed in conjunction with the team.
The device enables riders to adjust their tyre pressure as they ride, adapting it to the terrain, and was used by Pauline Ferrand–Prévot when she won the 2025 Paris–Roubaix Femmes.
Mathieu Heijboer, head of performance at the WorldTour team, told the In de Waaier podcast that this reduces the chances of the team’s riders at the Hell of the North on Sunday, and said the UCI’s decision was a “real shame”.
“As you know, we have worked with the Gravaa system for the past two years. We further developed it and tested it extensively during the winter. However, two weeks ago we received a letter stating that it is banned by the UCI. Then it stops all at once,” Heijboer said, as reported by Nieuwsblad.
“This is no coincidence,” said Heijboer. “We received no announcement that this was coming; there was simply that letter. In fact, we even rode the GP Denain with it.”
The team said the UCI’s decision is linked to the uncertainty of the Gravaa tyre pressure system’s commercial availability – a requirement for equipment used in competition – after the company declared bankruptcy in January 2026.
Heijboer questioned this decision, arguing the system is available. “You can order one if you want,” he said.
What does the UCI say?
In a statement made to BikeRadar, the UCI wished to clarify its decision not to authorise the Gravaa system.
It stated: “The fundamental principle of the UCI’s regulations regarding equipment design regulations is that there must not be an overly significant technological disparity between riders and/or teams.
“In this case, only one team has access to this technology, while others have not had the opportunity to acquire it. In a race featuring cobbled sectors, this provides that team with a significant advantage.”
The UCI said it is essential that it “uphold the highest standard of fairness” by restricting use of equipment that is not available to all.
Despite Heijboer’s claim that you can still order the Gravaa system, the UCI’s statement said: “[A]fter several weeks of analysis following the declaration of bankruptcy and cessation of activities in January 2026 of both Gravaa B.V. and Gravaa Production B.V., it became clear that it was impossible to obtain this equipment commercially.”
The UCI said it notified affected parties on 25 March and that it “decided not to authorise its use in competition from that date onwards for the 2026 season".
It added that it has received no response to its correspondence.
