From Pirelli P Zero Race TLR we had already spoken to you. But near BCA (Bike Connection Agency) held in Tuscany, we had the opportunity to exchange some chats and considerations with Valeria Omodeo Zorini, who is product marketing manager at Pirelli.
Pirelli was born as a manufacturer of tyre compounds and this philosophy, This utmost attention to the mix is still strong and present in the Milanese brand todayIt is no coincidence that it is the official tyre supplier in Formula One.
In Milan…
Most of the production, especially that dedicated to bicycles, has been transferred to Italy, to Bollate (Milan). Not only are high-end tires dedicated to the world of cycling produced there, but Pirelli's research and development center is also located there.
"The idea," explained Valeria Omodeo, "is to centralize our production in Italy, in the Milan area. It is no coincidence that the new P Zero Race TLRs have the words “Made in Italy” written on the shoulder».
As we've seen, the trend is toward wider cross-sections. From 23 mm 7-8 years ago, 28 mm is now the norm. Not to mention that between Milan-San Remo, Flanders, and Roubaix, 30 and 32 mm were used. The new 28mm tubeless was the tire we were able to test on a real superbike, the Canyon Ultimate Cfr. After consulting our weight, the Pirelli technicians inflated our tires to a tenth of a bar.
Development with teams
Thanks to this continuous research and evolution, Pirelli has succeeded in producing increasingly lighter, smoother-running, and puncture-resistant tires. All supported by the professional teams that support, including the Trek-Segafredo di Mads pedersen.
«Right now we're on the subject of the Northern Classics – continued Omodeo – and before these races we were in Belgium with the pros who "bombed" us with requests and feedback at the same time.
«What do they want? Smoothness, lightness, and even grip. But it's not so easy to meet all these needs. In some ways, the "blanket is too short." If I make a lighter tubeless tire, it will probably be less puncture-resistant. And this is why our research and development center in Italy, where contact with chemists and engineers is direct and constant, becomes fundamental."
Fluency teaches
Let's briefly review the structure of this tire that is increasingly popular… even among WorldTour teams.
The P Zero Race TLR features a tread compound called SmartEVO. What changes is the inside of the tire itself, which actually improves rolling resistance. Thanks to the use of the new Speedcore technology (a process patented by Pirelli) which promotes low rolling resistance and at the same time guarantees more than good puncture protection. This was all possible thanks to the use of aramid fibres, which can be worked with considerable precision.
In fact, aramid resists cutting and high temperatures well and, especially in the second phase of processing, when the tire is “baked in the oven,” it manages to become a single unit. A very simplistic explanation, but it gives an idea of how the rubber is a single body, not rigid because it has to hold multiple parts together so that the compound can work at its best. The result? Smoothness improved by 24%.
