Featured Story

As Smooth As Possible :

How Vittoria Tyres Powered Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team at Paris-Roubaix

Paris-Roubaix is never a smooth ride but you can make it smoother. Vittoria does that with the Corsa Pro tubeless tyres the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team rides with, and the Air-Liner inserts our riders used at Paris-Roubaix.

15 April 2025

Vittoria project manager and team liaison Tommaso Cappella starts with a bit of history.

“Back in the days riders won Paris-Roubaix on 23mm tubular tyres. The slack geometry of the steel frames allowed that. Now we ride 30 or even 32mm tyres. The frames and the wheels have become much stiffer meaning you need the comfort coming from the one place you touch the cobbles: your tyres. We can offer that comfort without compromising on rolling resistance, especially in tyres as wide as 32mm.”

There is nothing simple about the humble bicycle tyre. The first bicycle tyre was produced in 1890 but it improved throughout the years. One of the biggest developments happened in the last ten years, when tubeless came onto the scene. In short, tubeless is riding without inner tyres but with sealant instead. Or with inserts but more about that later.

“The first major race won on tubeless tyres was Gent-Wevelgem in 2019,” Tommaso explains. “Alexander Kristoff rode on Vittoria tubeless that day. Since that moment the development went in the overdrive. We went from 26 to 32 or even 34mm in less than five years. It took some convincing but now all teams ride tubeless. More comfort and less rolling resistance are key and who doesn’t want that?”

“More comfort and less rolling resistance are key and who doesn’t want that?” 

One of the main features of the Vittoria Corsa Pro the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team used in Paris-Roubaix is the cotton mix. It’s faster, more comfortable and grippier.

“We call it suppleness at Vittoria,” Tommaso adds. “We have the Corsa Pro Control especially made for these type of challenging races but the riders chose Corsa Pro. It’s a testament to our research that our premium race tyre is fast but also comfortable enough for even the hardest races. Paris-Roubaix is our proof of fire. This race shows all our science works because teams and riders stay with the brand. It’s our biggest compliment they put that confidence in us.”

“I didn’t even know but I had a flat at the front and at the back, but the sealant and the inserts worked really great.”

Pressure is always a big discussion point before Paris-Roubaix. In the recon the team did on Friday before the race they experimented with different pressures. This is a personal choice based on racing preference and body weight. Despite all the preparation, right tyre pressure and right tyre type, flat tyres can still happen.

“All tyres are tubeless nowadays and most teams use tyres inserts, Vittoria offer their supported teams with Air-Liner. It guarantees safety in case of pressure loss, allowing the rider to keep riding, especially on such difficult terrain such as pavé,” Tommaso concludes.

After the science and the preparation comes the race because the proof is in the pudding. Frederik Frison was the team’s best finisher on the famous Velodrome in Roubaix. In his sixth participation he finished in 32nd place. His race story shows the science works exactly how Tomasso explained it.

“The recon we did on Friday is always the most important moment to decide the ultimate tyre pressure,” Frederik says. “It is so important to have comfort on the cobbles but also the sense of speed on the asphalt. You look for the ideal mix. Vittoria has a tyre pressure calculation system on the website where you enter all sort of variables to decide your own pressure.”

Frison entered the velodrome on two flat tyres. “I didn’t even know but I had a flat at the front and at the back but the sealant and the inserts worked really great. There was pressure loss but also enough left to make it to the finish! All in all a positive experience for me.”