With Kumho’s Solus HA31 all-season tyre earning itself an enviable reputation for use on passenger cars and SUVs alike, the company launches Solus HA32, which is superior on almost every count, boasting 15 percent greater wet grip and 10 percent better wet/dry handling and braking.

Cars sold new on the UK market generally come equipped with summer specification tyres which, however good they may be in the milder seasons, means their performance is likely to tail off markedly below 7°C – a figure several degrees higher than the average temperature for December, January and February. To counter this, an increasing number of drivers now have sets of both summer and winter tyres, the downsides of which are the doubling in expenditure (more if you also opt for a second set of wheels) and the need to swap the tyres around twice every year. The perfect compromise is an all-season product designed to operate in all conditions all the year round.

Such is the respect in which HA32 is already held that it had secured one of the world’s top three design accolades (The Red Dot Design Award) even before its release onto the European market. The tyre’s cutting-edge compound and zigzag V-shaped tread pattern are primarily responsible for the notable improvements in wet weather performance, which have earned it an enviable grade B label for wet grip. Other features such as its three-dimensional interlocking sipes ensure impressive handling in all conditions - not least those involving snow, ice or slush.

The newcomer is initially available in 42 sizes to fit wheel rims from 14 to 18 inches in diameter, which will satisfy the needs of a wide spectrum of passenger cars, as well as many of the SUVs now so popular in the UK market. As befits such a stand-out product, the HA32’s sidewall features a distinctive all-season icon inclusive of an eye-catching hologram that changes appearance according to the angle of the prevailing light. More fundamentally it also wears the ‘M+S’ and ‘3 peak mountain snowflake’ symbols that confirm the product’s winter weather credentials. 

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Dunlop concluded the 2026 FIM Endurance World Championship by celebrating its Superstock Trophy and Production Trophy title winners at the 89th Bol d’Or. The French endurance classic, held under largely clear skies at Circuit Paul Ricard, brought the season to a dramatic close with 43 teams relying on Dunlop’s KR racing slicks across every category. Throughout the year, Dunlop supplied its KR108 and KR109 slick options to all entrants, alongside a latest-generation medium front tyre known during development as G2_01 VAL3.

In the Dunlop-exclusive Superstock Trophy, the No. 77 Wójcik Racing Team claimed a maiden crown. Jordi Torres Fernandez, Milan Pawelec, Mateusz Molik and Hector Vicent Garzo finished sixth overall, lifting the Polish squad above the No. 38 Champion-Hert Powered by MRP entry, which ended 11th in class. The No. 36 3ART Best Of Bike Hamaguchi team took second in the standings, while reigning champions No. 44 Honda No Limits completed the top three after finishing third in the race. The No. 18 Team Pompiers Igol CMS Motostore also placed inside the overall top ten, meaning four Superstock crews finished among the leading ten after 24 hours.

The Production Trophy crowned its second-ever champion as 13 bikes formed the category’s largest grid of the season. The No. 96 Legacy Competition team sealed its first title by finishing second in class at the Bol d’Or. The No. 199 ARTEC squad, the 2025 champion, ended the year as runner-up, with the No. 16 HTC Racing team completing the championship podium.

Dunlop-backed privateer teams also impressed in the open-tyre Formula EWC class. The No. 6 ERC Endurance team, with Loris Baz, Marcel Schrötter, Kenny Foray and Jan-Ole Jähning, qualified fourth with a 1:51.524 lap, just six tenths off pole, and finished sixth in the final standings on 62 points despite retiring from the race. The No. 14 MACO RACING TEAM recovered from 21st on the grid to finish 8th and end the season 10th, while the No. 53 Mana-au Competition team climbed from 28th to 11th and secured 8th in the final class standings.

David Auerbacher, International Motorcycle Race Event Leader, Dunlop Motorcycle Europe, said, “Congratulations to the 2026 Superstock Trophy and Production Trophy champions, as well as the Dunlop-backed teams in the Formula EWC class that achieved amazing results. We’re proud and happy to have once again supported teams across all categories throughout the year. The Bol d’Or is always a demanding way to close the EWC season and this year was no exception. Across 24 hours, all teams and riders were pushed to their limits, making consistency just as important as outright performance. Seeing our partners fight at the front of the Superstock and Production Trophy fields, while also challenging in Formula EWC, is a great way to end the season. The results across the 2026 season demonstrate how our KR108, KR109 and latest-generation medium front specification meet the demands of our riders.”

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Tegeta Green Planet organised an informational and practical campaign titled ‘Don’t Throw It Away, Hand It In’ in Zugdidi to foster environmental responsibility and encourage proper management of specific waste streams. The initiative sought to educate local residents, vehicle owners, drivers and private sector representatives while boosting their participation in responsible disposal practices.

A dedicated collection point was established on 15 September in Zugdidi, where community members could dispose of end-of-life tyres, used batteries and waste oils. Throughout the event, attendees learned about the safe and proper handling of used automotive waste and the various options available for submitting such materials.

A central component of the campaign involved raising awareness about Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) principles. Participants gained insight into what EPR entails, the function of an EPR organisation in managing specific waste, how collected materials are subsequently processed and why importers must meet their legal obligations by joining an authorised EPR organisation. Symbolic gifts were distributed to encourage public involvement in the collection process.

The event enhanced Tegeta Green Planet’s regional visibility and created opportunities to recruit new importer members. Operating since 2022, the organisation is among the first in Georgia to receive authorisation from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture under the EPR framework. It continues implementing regional campaigns and educational projects across Georgia to promote responsible waste management, strengthen infrastructure and advance circular economy principles.

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Italian bicycle tyre manufacturer Vittoria has extended its partnership with the Union Européenne de Cyclisme (UEC) for another five years, carrying the collaboration through 31 December 2030. The renewed agreement confirms Vittoria as the UEC Official Supplier, building on a relationship that has deepened through a shared dedication to European cycling development, from backing athletes and National Federations to elevating the sport at its highest competitive levels.

The multi-discipline partnership spans Road, Gravel, Mountain Bike, Cyclo-cross, Track and BMX Racing, mirroring modern cycling’s diversity. It connects Vittoria with riders pursuing European titles across various categories and generations while both organisations pursue a common vision of cycling as a unifying force that brings together people, countries and generations.

Beyond competition, the two organisations are committed to developing cycling, promoting sporting excellence and inclusivity and growing the sport across disciplines and throughout Europe. The UEC works closely with Europe’s National Cycling Federations to strengthen continental cooperation, while Vittoria supports athletes and the cycling community from grassroots through the elite level.

Under the renewed agreement, Vittoria Servizio Corse, the company’s neutral technical assistance service, will continue supporting athletes at the UEC Road European Championships. Experienced technicians and dedicated race-support vehicles will assist riders in Road Races, Individual Time Trials and Team Time Trials (Mixed Relay) across Elite, Under 23 and Junior categories, regardless of team or equipment, helping them rejoin the race swiftly after technical issues – reflecting the partnership’s core principle of standing close to athletes with concrete support.

Stijn Vriends, Chairman & CEO, Vittoria, said, “We are extremely proud to extend our partnership with the Union Européenne de Cyclisme for another five years. Our relationship has grown stronger over time because it goes beyond visibility at major events: it is built on a shared commitment to the development of cycling and to supporting the people who make this sport possible. Being alongside UEC across all these disciplines, and providing direct support to athletes, gives us the opportunity to make a concrete contribution to the sport and its future.”

Enrico Della Casa, President, Union Européenne de Cyclisme, said, “Vittoria represents excellence in the international cycling landscape, and we are delighted to renew a partnership that has grown stronger over the years. Having such a prestigious and widely recognised brand alongside the Union Européenne de Cyclisme brings tangible added value to our activities, across all disciplines and throughout our events. Vittoria is also a valuable partner in the solidarity initiatives promoted by the UEC in support of National Federations, making a concrete contribution to projects that go beyond the purely sporting dimension and fully reflect the values of cooperation and mutual support on which European cycling is built. This renewal therefore confirms a shared vision based on quality, innovation and a common commitment to supporting the growth of our sport at every level. I would like to sincerely thank Vittoria CEO Stijn Vriends and his entire team for the continued trust they place in the UEC and for their ongoing support of European cycling. We are proud to continue this journey together.”

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Pirelli has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the General Headquarters of the Arma dei Carabinieri to trial its Cyber Tyre technology on selected vehicles from the Rome Radiomobile Unit. The collaboration aims to monitor the capital's road infrastructure, identify potential risks and improve road safety.

The trial begins with the Pirelli system installed on five Alfa Romeo Tonale vehicles used for territorial control and emergency response. Sensors embedded in the tyres, proprietary algorithms and computer vision and artificial intelligence tools will gather and analyse road network data, enabling prompt identification of hazards.

Tyre-derived data will be combined with information from on-board cameras and processed using artificial intelligence algorithms developed by technology partner Univrses. The integrated approach will detect road surface or signage anomalies, helping build a continuously updated map of road conditions. The system operates automatically, requiring no action from operators. Cyber Tyre has previously been deployed with Movyon, part of the Autostrade per l'Italia group, and with the Region of Apulia.

At the signing, Arma dei Carabinieri Commander General Lt. Gen. Salvatore Luongo emphasised the organisation's commitment to innovation, calling the agreement a technological step consistent with its vision of cultural renewal. Pirelli's Cyber Tyre transforms the tyre into an intelligent device. An internal sensor collects information, processed by Pirelli software and transmitted in real time. It supports ABS, ESP and traction control while enabling road network health maps for maintenance planning.

Marco Tronchetti Provera, Executive Chairman of Pirelli, said, "We are very pleased with this collaboration with the Arma dei Carabinieri. The Cyber Tyre system is capable of operating seamlessly even on tyres subjected to continuous strain and heavy stress, such as those used by the Radiomobile Unit's vehicles. This partnership, alongside those already established with public entities and automakers, demonstrates the robustness of our technology and its strategic importance in the development of connected and intelligent mobility.”

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