The tyre of choice for two-wheel fanatics
Here is a Continental story of a different kind. Continental is well known as a leading manufacturer and supplier of tyres and vehicle technologies. Its tyre products for all types of cars, motorcycles, 4x4s and trucks are proven market leaders. But it is also a formidable contender in the cycling arena.
On the road, track or off-road, Continental is increasingly becoming the choice of front-line cycling competitors.
The world’s toughest and most famous bike race, Tour de France, pushes the riders and their equipment to the very limit. Whether the riders are streaking downhill on wet, rain-soaked roads, sprinting out of hairpin bends or climbing towards a mountain-top finish in searing heat, tyres play a crucial role in the race for the famous yellow jersey.
For many years, several top teams have placed their trust in the expertise of Continental’s tyre specialists. This year, the teams that used Continental tyres in “Le Tour” were Lotto-Belisol, Movistar, Lampre Merida, Orica GreenEdge and BMC Racing. The whole world watched in awe as sprint specialist, André Greipel from Germany sprinted to the sixth Tour de France stage win of his career in Reims, at the end of stage six of the Tour.
After 3 656km of racing, the Movistar and BMC Racing teams, riding on Continental race tyres, finished fourth and fifth overall. Alejandro Valverde (Spain) took fourth place overall, with Tejay van Garderen (USA) ending fifth to put two Continental-equipped cyclists in the top five overall for the 2014 Tour de France.
All of the “Continental teams” benefited from an extensive stock of tyres suited to every conceivable surface, requirement and weather condition.
Continental’s ultra-light race tyres are hand-made at the company’s German tyre factory in Korbach. They are popular in the Tour de France peloton, but are also used at all of the major cycle races.
Other high-profile victors using Continental rubber include Tony Martin (four-time winner of the World Time Trial championship), Corinne Abraham and Sebastian Kienle (2014 Ironman European Championship) Sebastian Kienle also won the 2014 edition of the oldest and most spectacular triathlon competition in the world, the Hawaii Ironman.
Continental enjoys the same status in mountain biking circles. The company works closely with a number of riders, including MTB legend Richie Schley who is a big fan of Conti’s Mountain King II and Trail King tyres and is involved in the ongoing development of new products.
Similarly, in downhill racing Rachel Atherton has been the British downhill champion for the past two years and won the prestigious World Cup series in 2013 using the Conti Mud Kings and Kaiser 2.4 Project tyres.
