Continental has launched the Archetype, a limited edition road tire developed in close collaboration with UAE Team Emirates XRG. The Archetype has been designed “to push the boundaries of race-day performance” and “takes everything Continental knows about speed and refines it into its purest form”, the tire maker said. The Archetype will be in action at the 112th Tour de France.
Developed to meet the demands of the top-ranked team in the UCI World Rankings, the Archetype has been engineered with a singular focus – winning. Refined through extensive testing, racing and optimization, it is intended to deliver high-performance results where they count most.
“We were asked by UAE Team Emirates XRG to build a tire that could deliver even faster performance in a 30mm width. That’s a bold challenge — so we went back to the fundamentals,” said Hannah Ferle, road product manager at Continental. “The result is the Archetype: a tire that distills our decades of racing expertise into a pure, purpose-built product. It’s minimal, fast and made for those who live to compete.”
Key features
The Archetype features a 30mm width and sheds 35g compared to the Grand Prix 5000 S TR and its ultra-supple carcass supports responsiveness and comfort under pressure. Continental’s iconic BlackChili compound has been used to reduce rolling resistance while maintaining class-leading grip.
Further enhancing the tire’s performance is LazerGrip, Continental’s micro-profile shoulder treatment for cornering at speed. The Archetype also integrates Active Comfort Technology, which absorbs road vibration for a smoother, more controlled ride.
Fully tubeless ready and hookless-compatible, the Archetype is designed for modern race setups, from Grand Tours to high-stakes time trials.
In related news, Pirelli has launched the Scorpion XC RC and M 100% ‘Made in Italy’ mountain bike tires, which are manufactured at Pirelli’s Milan-Bollate plant with Forest Stewardship Council-certified natural rubber. Read the full story here
