T-Mobile, Phonal, Crédit Agricole and Saunier Duval teams fit Continental high-tech cycle racing tyres

Hanover, June 2005. The cycle racing tyres supplied by Continental to the top teams competing in the tour de France contain new compound materials. The use of the liquid crystal fibre Vectran means the racing tyres are not only more puncture-resistant, but also weigh less and offer reduced rolling resistance. This year riders like Jan Ullrich, Thor Hushovd and Floyd Landis are relying  on the hand-made tyres from Korbach in the German state of Hesse.

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In the Tour de France the difference between victory and defeat can be a matter of seconds, which means the racing tyres - weighing just 250 grammes - are an important part of the overall bike concept. The different compounds used give them optimum grip on wet and dry roads.

The Competition Pro family of racing tyres used in the tour de France are hand-made in Continental's bicycle tyre factory in Korbach, Hesse. There are three options available - the Competition Pro Limited Allround features a compound that is particularly suitable for fast riding on the flat and in the mountains. The Competition Pro Limited Rain is designed for use in wet weather, whilst the Podium Pro Limited, which weighs just 220 grammes, offers extremely low rolling resistance and is particularly suited to timed stretches. "Choosing the right tyres for the Tour de France is by now as much of a gamble as in Formula One" comments Wolf vorm Walde, product manager at Continental. "Thanks to our new compound, the teams have high-tech cycle tyres with which they can gain the seconds needed to put them ahead or make up lost time."

Continental's cycle tyre business unit based in Korbach, Hesse, has an extensive range of tyres for touring, trekking, mountain and racing bikes. In addition to high-performance, low rolling resistance and comfortable tyres, Continental also manufactures studded winter tyres for bicycles. Leading teams in a range of racing sport events such as the Tour de France and the Olympic Games rely on Continental racing tyres. Continental is the only manufacturer producing bicycle tyres in Germany.

The Continental Corporation is a leading supplier of tyres, brake systems, chassis components, vehicle electronics and technical elastomers. In 2004 the corporation realised sales of EUR12.6 billion. At present it has a worldwide workforce of around 81,000.

The tyre business unit is an Official Partner of the 2006 FIFA World Cup GermanyTM.For further information visit the websites www.conti-online.com and www.ContiSoccerWorld.com