French tyre manufacturer Michelin will launch a comprehensive range of motorcycle tyres in January 2024, marking a significant technological advancement. The initial three products will be showcased at the EICMA trade show from 7 to 12 November this year. These cutting-edge tyres will be featured on select motorcycles presented in Milan, Italy, and will also be exhibited at the Michelin space in Hall 22.

With a legacy spanning 130 years in motorcycle tyre development - the very first Michelin tyre was crafted for a motorcycle - and a record of over 500 victories in the FIM World Championships, Michelin holds a wealth of unparalleled expertise. From slick tyres to radial and asymmetrical designs, Michelin has been at the forefront of innovation over the past half-century.

Presently, Michelin’s motorcycle tyres are widely acknowledged by both customers and the media for delivering top-notch performance across all riding conditions. In the majority of countries, Michelin stands as the most trusted tyre brand among consumers. Over recent years, premium manufacturers such as BMW Motorrad, Triumph, KTM, and Honda have homologated Michelin’s Power and Anakee ranges.

MICHELIN POWER 6: BALANCING FUN AND SPORTINESS FOR EVERYDAY RIDING

The MICHELIN Power 6 tyre caters to a broad spectrum of sports motorcycle enthusiasts. It offers a blend of sportiness and pure riding pleasure, positioning it as Michelin’s new reference in this category.

In addition to its sporty attributes, this Michelin tyre prioritises mileage for daily riders and those embarking on long motorcycle journeys. Its exceptional grip in both wet and dry conditions, coupled with precise handling, addresses the demands of motorcyclists effectively. Available in various sizes, this tyre suits motorcycles over 300cc and has already received homologation for the 2024 KTM 390 Duke.

MICHELIN POWER GP2: TRACK PERFORMANCE FOR THE ROAD

While initially designed for the racetrack, the MICHELIN Power GP2 is now homologated for on-road use. Targeting owners of super sports bikes, this evolution of the MICHELIN Power GP tyre takes performance to a new level. It offers even more excellent grip on both wet and dry surfaces compared to its predecessor(2), which was already a leading tyre in its category. With enhanced riding precision, it elevates the track experience, enabling the most seasoned riders to push their limits. Developed by the same team of engineers and using the same cutting-edge technology as MotoGP™ tyres, the new MICHELIN Power GP2 benefits from Michelin’s extensive experience gained from 500 victories in the FIM World Championship.

MICHELIN ANAKEE ROAD: OPTIMAL ON-ROAD PERFORMANCE WITH A DISTINCT TRAIL APPEAL

The MICHELIN Anakee Road complements the existing Anakee range, which includes patterns designed for more aggressive off-road usage - Anakee Wild and Anakee Adventure. Tailored for trail bikes known for their versatility, the Anakee Road caters to motorcyclists who primarily favour on-road riding for extended road trips and daily commuting. This new tyre offers high levels of grip in both wet and dry conditions(3), along with extended longevity(4) and reliable stability. Despite the evolving lighter weight of bikes in this category, they still possess a commanding presence. Michelin has harmonised the design of the new Anakee Road to align with the aesthetics of these formidable machines.

Bridgestone will supply tailored-made tyres for Lamborghini’s Huracán STO, which will be launched in 2021.

Bridgestone ensured the high-performance tyre can maximise the Huracán STO’s traction, handling, control, and extreme overall performance.

Key to the tyre’s success in maximising the super sports car’s performance is the combination of pattern and cavity design. The Potenza tyres apply an asymmetric tread design for enhanced steering response and cornering stability, and an internal crown structure that distributes footprint pressure evenly when cornering.

As well as the road-focused, custom-developed Potenza fitment, Bridgestone will also be providing a track-oriented, road-homologated version of the tyre that applies “race” technologies to maximise the vehicle’s track performance, especially in dry conditions.

Steven De Bock, VP Consumer Replacement and OE at Bridgestone EMIA, said, “It’s been a pleasure for our team to work so closely with Lamborghini for the first time, and on such an exciting project. The Huracán STO is an incredible piece of engineering that deserves a custom tyre that can fulfill its full potential. I can proudly say that Bridgestone has delivered such a high-performance tyre. It has been fantastic for the team to have worked on a project that is at the forefront of technology in so many ways.”

Hankook, one of the major global tyre brands, has started testing and development operations at its new ultra modern facility in Spain.

The testing facility has been set up on the premises of the Applus+ IDIADA Group and can also cater to European premium car manufacturers that have their own demanding tyre tests. The facility is completely automated and will host a 20-member team from the Spanish testing centre, which is affiliated to the Hankook Europe Technical Centre.

Klaus Krause, Head of European Research and Development Centre, said, "With the further expansion of our testing capacities in Spain, we are reaching the next level together with our local partner Applus+ IDIADA."

He also added, "We are confident that the newly installed testing facilities in particular will significantly improve our efforts to provide the best tyre testing conditions and services to our employees and customers. In addition, we will also be able to conduct significantly more tests on site." (TT)

ASCENSO introduced a construction tyre - BLB 730- which is used for boom lift vehicles used in construction and other industries. It comes with several features that cater to the unique needs of aerial lifting equipment.

The BLB 730 tyre is available in different sizes to fit various boom lift vehicles. This range of sizes provides versatility and compatibility with different types of aerial lift work platforms.

“ASCENSO's BLB 730 tyre is a significant advancement in specialised equipment for the construction industry. It focuses on load capacity, stability, traction, and durability to improve the performance and safety of boom lift vehicles. Whether working at heights or manoeuvring on tough terrains, this tyre offers reliability and durability for efficient operations,” said the company in a statement.

The BLB 730 tyre is built to handle heavy loads and stabilise boom lift vehicles. It has solid lugs and a more extended shoulder design, which ensures good traction and prevents slipping during operation. This is important for safely carrying heavy weights at high elevations. ASCENSO has used a special rubber compound in making the BLB 730 tyre, making it durable and long-lasting, resulting in less downtime and more productivity on construction sites.

To make the tyre even better, the company has optimised its inner volume to reduce tyre fill consumption, reducing the risk of tyre punctures, minimising the need for maintenance, and keep the vehicles running smoothly.

Falken Tyre Europe is an official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 partner for the upcoming tournament, the company has announced. The tournament is taking place at nine venues in Sweden and Poland from 11-29 January, 2023. Falken Tyre claims that the partnership was organised by the sports marketing agency SPORTFIVE. SPORTFIVE is responsible for exclusive marketing and media rights for all IHF World Championships until 2031.

Falken Tyre claims that this is its second agreement with the International Handball Federation. In addition to title and logo rights (Official IHF Men's World Championship 2023 Partner), the company has also secured advertising rights, including the Falken logo in each goal and centre circle of the courts, as well as the presence of Falken branding in the official tournament social media communications and print materials. According to Falken Tyre, this is complemented by 30-second video ads that will be shown on the big screens in the nine sports halls before the start of each match and at half-time.

Sharing his views, Robert Müller von Vultejus, Chief Growth Officer at SPORTFIVE, said, “With Falken, the IHF World Handball Championships have secured a great partner who is positioned with far-reaching influence in the relevant core markets. We are delighted to have been able to bring two global partners together for one of the most exciting sporting events of next year.”

Markus Bögner, COO and President of Falken Tyre Europe GmbH, explained, “Handball isn’t just of great importance in Europe, but all over the world, which has led us to partake in this top-level tournament once again. The fact that the international tournament is taking place in countries that are among our core markets is another great reason for our involvement. We can also look back on a long partnership with our colleagues at SPORTFIVE, who always offers us excellent opportunities that are an excellent fit for the Falken brand, which stands for enthusiasm, performance and achievement.”