PARIS-ROUBAIX is a race that challenges spectators and riders alike. Française des Jeux upped the ante this year by taking on another challenge; starting the race on Road Tubeless Intensive clincher tires.

Martial Gayant, Director Sportif of the Française des Jeux team explained why he decided to let his riders race on clinchers. “After our reconnaissance of the course days before the race, we found that the Road Tubeless Intensive clinchers offered a smooth ride on the flat pavé without punctures or rider fatigue.

This is a first in the world of professional bicycle racing; all eight riders of the Française des Jeux team racing on clincher tires in a major cycling event.

Wesley SULZBERGER, Française des Jeux rider related, “a few days before the race, we made a reconnaissance of the race course equipped with Intensive Road Tubeless, the cobblestones were wet, yet the tires performed well. The day of the race, the pavé was dry and again the performance we needed from the tires was there. The grip was good and I didn’t have one flat. It’s a tire that is truly suited to this type of course”

The Intensive is a tire designed as a training, racing and long distance urban riding tire. This version was a slick treaded competitive version with carbon fiber beads that assure that the tire will stay mounted if flatted.

The Française des Jeux riders at Paris-Roubaix were equipped with prototype tires. The 700c x 25mm version that is now available delivers longevity, comfort and safety for cyclists that demand this type of performance.

Norbert Gangloff, responsible for product innovation and team equipment relations followed the race from inside the Française des Jeux team. The results of 2009 Paris-Roubaix were the culmination of six years of work on Road Tubeless. The tires performed as anticipated in this most demanding race. “The race highlighted the performance of Road Tubeless Intensive on the asphalt and comfort on the cobbles.

Tom Boonen won the Paris-Roubaix in 6 hours and 15 minutes.

Frédéric Guesdon of Française des Jeux was the 2nd French rider in 13th place on his Intensive Road Tubeless. The team performed well with five finishers. Thanks to all on the Française des Jeux team for their confidence in Hutchinson during this challenge. “The race was memorable and indescribable,” added Norbert Gangloff.

To better roll on the dirt and graveled roads of Brittany, all of the Française des Jeux used Fusion 2 Tubeless tires during the Tro Bro Leon which is known as the Paris Roubaix of Brittany. Conditions were especially wet and muddy on the narrow roads in which the race is held.

Many of the competing teams had multiple punctures. Andrezj Pozak, one of the FDJ’s team mechanics said the race was without mechanical incidents. “The only stess was the final palpitation of Frédéric Guesdon.” The FDJ team finished with three riders in the top 10 finishers. Winner Frédéric Guesdon ; Lilian Jégou and Yauheni Hutarovich finished in 4th and 10th places respectively.

It’s been the 4th victory for Fusion 2 Road Tubeless this season after the success of Phillipe Gilbert (Het Volk, Grand Prix Samyn) and Yauheni Hutarovich (2nd stage of the Tour des Flandres Occidentales and the overall final classification).

Since the beginning of the season, Hutchinson has won 8 victories with the Française des Jeux and 3 with Scott Saunier Duval on Fusion Road Tubeless
Philippe Gilbert : Het Volk and Grand Prix Samyn
Yauheni Hutarovich, won the second stage and the overall classification of the Trois Jours des Flandres Occidentales.

EASE of INSTALLATION
Without tubes, mounting is simple by hand simple is with pneu Hutchinson StickAir.
Following installation instructions, Hutchinson clinchers are known to be easy to mount. 
With TUBELESS, not having the a tube or rim strip makes tire installation even easier.

THE CASING
Body of the tire is composed of:
127 TPI bias thread
The casing is reinforced at the beads which helps resist pressure and protects against punctures on the sidewalls.

CARBON BEAD
New Carbon bead provides the necessary strength for the Road Tubeless concept to work.

SEALING
A layer of compound placed in the interior of the casing guaranties the tubeless tire perfect sealing. Specially formed dompound around the bead assures a total seal between the rim and the hook of the tire.

TREAD
3 types of compound «Triple Compound» are used in the Fusion 2 Road Tubeless tread.

• In the center, the compound wears longer.
• First leaning zone, a compound that grips the road while cornering.
• Second leaning zone, high-rebound compound that holds the road surface during intense cornering demands.
• The new TRIPLE COMPOUND technology allows three compounds with different properties to create the best performing tire possible.
• The hard compound at the center augments the life of the tire and resistance to cuts and perforations while providing a low rolling resistance.
• Finally the side compounds offer unequaled grip for cornering and tight turns which gives the rider the ultimate confidence in his tires.

PERFORMANCE AND COMFORT
Triple Compound: 3 compounds optimized for wear and progressive adhesion while cornering.
Competition slick profile. Ultra performance 127 tpi casing
New Carbon Bead technology