Apollo Tyres Ltd has launched the Vredestein Superpasso Pro competition-ready road bicycle tyres. This is the first model in the company’s all-new range of high-performance bicycle tyres scheduled for launch throughout the coming year.

The Superpasso Pro was developed using Apollo Tyres' cutting-edge ‘TriComp’ technology in Europe, which combines several rubber compositions for the tread and sidewall to maximise rolling resistance, puncture prevention and traction in both wet and dry situations. While the tyre's shoulder is composed of a softer composition to improve cornering grip at all speeds, the centre of the tread features a tougher compound to reduce rolling resistance and to prevent penetration. The new Superpasso Pro achieves a 14 percent improvement in rolling resistance, a 23 percent increase in puncture resistance and an eight percent weight reduction when compared to its Vredestein predecessor.

For TLR tyres, the new ‘Active Control’ technology offers a novel design that substitutes a bridging gap for the conventional overlapping centre join. Because of this development, the tyre is lighter and quicker, offering better control, better feedback and unwavering comfort. In order to increase puncture resistance and provide consumers the assurance that they can go farther, the Vredestein tyre also has a reinforced breaker layer. As part of a business collaboration with Apollo Tyres, the Dutch professional cycling team BEAT Cycling Club has put the Superpasso Pro through a rigorous testing process. Three sizes of the new Vredestein tyre are available: 700x25C, 700x28C and 700x32C. Both tubeless-ready (TLR) and tube type choices are available.

Nic Knippers, Division Head – Vredestein Two Wheel Tyres, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “The Superpasso Pro represents a significant leap forward in tyre technology, offering cyclists a product that excels in both performance and durability. With its innovative design and advanced materials, it delivers unmatched speed, comfort and reliability for cyclists of all levels.”

Thijs Zonneveld, Sportive Director, BEAT Cycling Club, said, “As a team that consistently pushes the limits of performance, we’ve been thoroughly impressed by the Superpasso Pro. The advancements in rolling efficiency, grip and durability have been evident in both race-day conditions and intense training sessions, and we’re excited to continue using it in competition.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Giti Tire heads into the 2026 Nürburgring 24-Hour race from 14 to 17 May with a clear engineering mission, placing its tyres at the very centre of a live high-performance trial. The company treats the gruelling event not merely as a competition but as a decade‑long research platform where extreme track demands directly inform the durability and safety of everyday road tyres. What Giti learns on the Green Hell’s asphalt directly shapes its ultra‑high‑performance road tyres, enhancing handling precision and driver confidence worldwide.

The notorious Nordschleife, a 25‑kilometre maze of blind crests, 170 corners and volatile weather, serves as Giti’s primary outdoor laboratory. Unlike controlled indoor simulations, this circuit forces tyres to endure rapid temperature swings, sudden rain and sustained high‑speed loads, generating performance data that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

During the 24 hours of nonstop racing, Giti’s engineers systematically track how their compounds behave under relentless stress. They measure grip falloff, structural fatigue, wet‑weather response and heat dissipation lap after lap, turning every hour of darkness and every sudden shower into a learning opportunity for future tyre families.

Beyond technology, Giti has built a visible partnership with WS Racing and its all‑female ‘Girls Only – Ready to Rock the Green Hell’ campaign. The 2026 entry fields Carrie Schreiner, Janina Schall and Fabienne Wohlwend in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, while a separate Toyota Supra in the VT2‑RWD class continues developing emerging talents through the Girls Only Talent Pool.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Continental has introduced a specialised tyre lineup for motorhomes as the camper season begins, addressing the unique technical demands of recreational vehicles. The company’s VanContact Camper tyre family includes two distinct models: the VanContact Ultra Camper for summer conditions and the VanContact A/S Ultra Camper as an all‑season alternative. Both products are engineered to handle the heavy weights, uneven axle loads, and long idle periods that typically challenge motorhome tyres.

Positioned as the flagship of the series, the VanContact A/S Ultra Camper targets users seeking maximum year‑round flexibility without the need for seasonal tyre changes. This all‑season tyre delivers reliable traction across diverse weather conditions while offering high mileage and efficient rolling performance. It is designed to serve equally well for spring season starts and continuous use throughout the year, making it a versatile solution for frequent travellers.

The reinforced carcass structure and high‑quality belt materials of the VanContact A/S Ultra Camper meet the Camping Pneu standard, which provides higher load capacities than conventional van tyres. From a technical perspective, Continental employs a robust tread design with thick rubber blocks, a protective abrasion rib, and stable sidewalls. A functional tread and sipe pattern, combined with an advanced rubber compound, promote even wear, low rolling resistance and dependable grip on changing road surfaces and in variable weather.

Alongside the all‑season version, the summer‑specific VanContact Ultra Camper remains available for warm‑weather optimisation. Continental emphasises that tyre condition at season start is critical, as extended inactivity, temperature swings and pressure fluctuations can compromise performance. The VanContact Camper family is positioned as a high‑durability solution for a safe and flexible start to the camping season and beyond.

Nicolas Jackisch, Product Manager – Van Tyres, Continental, said, “With the VanContact Camper tyre family, we take into account the load profiles and usage conditions of the motorhome segment. The VanContact A/S Ultra Camper stands for flexible all‑season performance and year‑round use, while the VanContact Ultra Camper is optimised for operation in warm temperatures. Both tyres are designed to deliver high load capacity, stability and safety.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Hankook Tire, in collaboration with Al Dobowi Tyre company, the official distributor of Hankook in UAE since 1978 under Al Dobowi Group, has announced a new sponsorship agreement with the Gulf County Championship, a community-based cricket league in the United Arab Emirates.

Starting from the 2026 season, Hankook will serve as a Division Sponsor for the league, which ranks among the UAE’s leading community cricket events. The championship features roughly 200 matches over three months, drawing more than 800 players across multiple divisions and primarily engaging the country’s South Asian community, where cricket holds strong cultural significance.

Through on-site branding and digital exposure via YouTube and social media, Hankook aims to boost brand awareness and customer engagement. Interactive programmes and promotional activities are planned to drive consumer conversion. Stellar Sports & Events organises the league.

Dae-hee Yun, Managing Director UAE, said, "This initiative marks an important step in expanding our customer and partner base across the UAE. Through strategic partnerships, we aim to further strengthen our sales competitiveness in the local market while reinforcing our premium brand positioning."

Waqas Faisal, General Manager, Al Dobowi Tyre Company, said, "Marking 50 years of presence in the UAE, this partnership is a significant milestone for Al Dobowi Group as the official distributor of Hankook Tires. Cricket plays a vital role in bringing communities together across the country, and the collaboration provides a strong platform for engaging with the local cricket community and strengthening our presence across the UAE, delivering results both on and off the field."

Rony James, General Manager, Stellar Sports & Events, said, "We are delighted to welcome Hankook Tire and Al Dobowi Group as key partners for the Gulf County Championship. This collaboration reflects the growing scale and professionalism of community cricket in the UAE. Our focus is to create a platform that delivers competitive cricket and meaningful brand engagement for our partners through on-ground and digital experiences."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Tyres Europe has released its latest quarterly market update, prepared by the independent intelligence firm Astutus Research, which tracks tyre industry trends, mobility patterns and recovery and recycling efforts. The report provides fresh data on import shifts and used tyre generation across the EU27 plus United Kingdom.

Passenger car and light truck tyre imports into the region dropped by nearly 22 percent in January and February of 2026, a sharp reversal from the 26 percent increase seen in the first quarter of 2025. The total volume fell by 5.6 million units, driven largely by an 8.7-million-unit decline in Chinese shipments, which cut China’s market share from 74 to 52 percent. An ongoing European Union anti‑dumping investigation, with the potential for backdated duties, had encouraged heavy pre‑buying of Chinese tyres in 2025, peaking that September before accelerating into 2026. In response, ASEAN‑origin tyres, many from Chinese‑owned factories, tripled their share to 21 percent, led by Thailand and Vietnam, while Cambodia added nearly half a million units from a near‑zero base.

Truck and bus tyre imports from non‑European markets rose 24 percent over the same period. Thailand and Vietnam together increased shipments by 39 percent, lifting their combined share above 63 percent. Meanwhile, China’s position weakened as its volumes stagnated, and India emerged as the fourth largest source with a share exceeding five percent, pushing Egypt to fifth place ahead of Korea.

On sustainability, preliminary estimates from Astutus Research indicate that Europe generated approximately 4.4 million tonnes of used tyres in 2025, a figure essentially unchanged from the previous year. This overall stability hides divergent regional trends, with faster growth in Southern European markets such as Spain, Portugal and Greece, while larger Northern markets including the United Kingdom, Germany and France showed little or no increase. Replacement tyres account for more than 90 percent of used tyre tonnage, with the remainder coming from end‑of‑life vehicles.

Of the 4.4 million tonnes generated, around 0.6 million tonnes were reused as part‑worn tyres or retreaded. The term used tyres refers to all tyres removed from vehicles, while end‑of‑life tyres exclude those reused or retreaded. A decline in retreading has increased the share classified as end‑of‑life tyres, adding to volumes that require recovery or recycling.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!