Gravaa, company behind Visma | Lease a Bike’s revolutionary tire pressure system, declared bankrupt
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Follow us on GoogleGravaa, the company behind the revolutionary tyre pressure system KAPS that Visma | Lease a Bike has been using for several years, was declared bankrupt by the court in Oost-Brabant this week. It is currently unknown what will happen to the Eindhoven-based firm, whose gadget we also saw on the bikes of Lidl-Trek this winter.
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Gravaa had been used for several years by various riders from Visma | Lease a Bike. For example, Wout van Aert spoke positively about the gadget, which allowed air to be pumped in and out during a race like Paris-Roubaix. “I’ve tested it this winter and I’m impressed with how it works and continues to work,” said the Belgian — a recognised authority on equipment — last year.
The system also delivered success for the Dutch squad. Marianne Vos became 2024 gravel world champion with the KAPS system on her bike, and Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s 2025 Paris-Roubaix victory was also helped by it. Matthew Brennan also took victory in the GP Denain thanks to the technology.
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Revolutionary system hard to sell
Behind the scenes, the business side wasn’t going great. The KAPS system costs several thousand euros, making it difficult to sell to recreational cyclists. Other WorldTour teams, such as Lidl-Trek, did purchase the system in limited quantities. “But it’s one of many things we test,” responded Mads Pedersen when asked in December.
It is currently unknown whether there will be a restart for Gravaa or if the curtain will fall permanently. At Visma | Lease a Bike, Head of Performance Equipment Jenco Drost told us last week in Spain that the system is expected to be used again this spring. “We think it can make a very big difference. Especially in Paris-Roubaix, it’s really a big advantage,” he said previously.
Tom van der Salm (27) comes from the charming town of Zeilberg (Deurne) in the Netherlands and has been working as editor-in-chief & journalist at IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, In de Leiderstrui, since 2019. He travels with the peloton from the Tour de France to the AlUla Tour and from the World Championships in Rwanda or Canada to the Zilvermeercross in Mol. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, mountain biking, running, walking with his Labrador/Stabyhoun, investing, holidays, (specialty) beers, reading, cooking and watching sports & documentaries!
Contact: [email protected]
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