Team DSM has announced that its riders will be using a built-in tire pressure management system in Paris-Roubaix. Earlier today, the UCI officially approved the technology in a press release, confirming that a specific product (Scope Atmoz) is allowed in road racing. The Dutch company Scope, in collaboration with Team DSM, has developed a technology that allows riders to adjust tire pressure while riding.

This is done using an air reservoir housed in the hub and connected to the rim and tubeless tire via a mechanical valve and hose. Through a control device on the handlebar, tire pressure can be electronically controlled and tracked in real time directly from the cycle computer.

"The tire pressure management system, approved under UCI Regulation 1.3.004, is controlled by a button on the handlebar and uses a mechanical valve to regulate air flow between the air reservoir and the tubeless tire," according to the UCI. The system "does not alter the structural integrity of the wheelset and does not involve any moving parts or compressors. Upon receiving this release, Cycling News first contacted Michael Rogers, UCI's innovation manager, to confirm the adoption of the new technology in racing. He replied, "Yes, it is real."

Later, Nieck Busser of Scope Cycling told Cyclingnews We believe it will have a significant impact on cycling today and create a significant increase in marginal benefits."

He added, "We believe it will have a significant impact on cycling today and create a significant increase in marginal benefits.

Cyclingnews also learned that Team DSM intends to use this technology at this weekend's Paris-Roubaix and will officially unveil their new system on Friday.

The system will bring a slight increase in weight to the hubs and rims. However, rolling resistance will be greatly improved for events on mixed terrain, such as Paris-Roubaix. Last year, Lizzie Deignan's tire pressure was only 33 psi.

If riders can revert to higher pressures during the tarmac sections of the race, rolling resistance will be greatly improved: the Scope product page states that "rolling resistance is reduced by up to 30 watts."

In accordance with UCI Regulation 1.3.006, this system must be made commercially available to recreational riders for use in professional racing; Scope currently sells Scope Atmoz wheels on its website for €3,304.

A similar system was launched last year by Gravaa, targeting the gravel bike and mountain bike segments, and White Crow launched a more mechanical solution in 2015.

Cycling News contacted several teams and bike brands to discuss the technology. Several teams said they experimented with the concept after last year's rain-soaked Paris-Roubaix, but were not convinced of the overall benefits in such a race.

Most teams and brands are concentrating on the benefits of bike aerodynamics and tubeless tire setups, avoiding the risks of new technology in a prestigious event like Paris-Roubaix. However, if it proves successful in Roubaix, more teams may adopt the technology in this year's Tour de France, which will feature a fifth stage with 11 cobbled sections.

The UCI rule follows the use of innovative dropper posts by Matej Mohoric (Bahrain Victorious) in Milan-San Remo.

Paris-Roubaix has historically been a hotbed of innovation in endurance cycling technology, with new comfort features becoming mainstream while others quickly fell into disuse. It will be interesting to see how adjustable tire pressure is used strategically in the race.