In a flat time trial that makes more difference than a few grams of extra mass.Taking place on the white gravel roads of Tuscany, Strade Bianche is easily one of the hardest and most beautiful races of the year. That's particularly true in time trials, because there is plenty of data to show that rolling resistance is lower with a tubeless tyre compared to a tubular. Tubular tyres also accommodate higher pressures and pro racers will run up to 140 psi if the road conditions are good enough.Īll that said, we're starting to see clinchers and tubeless tyres become a bigger presence in pro races.

Many racers will tell you they prefer the more supple ride feel of a tubular tyre as well. With the increased use of tubeless tyres, you'll find that lots of teams are using tubeless inserts to offer similar security to tubulars. A punctured tubular tyre won’t fall off the rim, so a punctured tubular tyre can still be ridden on, at reduced speed, usually long enough to receive a spare wheel from the following team car or neutral support.

It’s not just the weight, as one of the key reasons that pros still use tubular tyres is because you can still ride with a flat tyre.

In a sport obsessed with weight (though limited by the UCI’s 6.8kg weight limit) every little bit of weight can make a difference. Tubulars require the tyre to be glued to the rim and this is still just about the lightest setup, because the rim construction is simpler. Most of us regular cyclists use clincher tyres which are easy to remove for inner tube changes, or we go tubeless howver on pro bikes you'll still find teams riding on tubular tyres, though tubeless setups are becoming more common each season.

Don spence professional bike racer