Belgian rider and bike enthusiast Thierry Sarasyn has broken the world touring record on 20 June, passing through 13 countries in just 19 hours and 43 minutes. 

He was helped on the way to beating the previous record of 11 countries by Bridgestone’s Battlax Sport Touring T32 tyres, the company said in a statement. 

Sarasyn started at 4.16 am in the Czech Republic and arrived in Arlon, Belgium, at 11.59 pm. 

Sarasyn said, “I still had four hours to get to Holland, which is not too hard from any point in Belgium. But the goal was not to set a record that can never be beaten, just to beat the existing record. I knew I had it once I got to Luxemburg, but after that it was only 10km to get to Belgium. It seemed logical to add the 13th country to the list.”  

The decision not to attempt a 14th country was also due to safety. He said, “I felt I was getting tired. And being tired while riding in the dark is not safe. We put safety first during this travel. I was not riding too fast, took breaks at least every two hours and followed strict nutritional rules to keep my focus.” 

It was recorded using an official tracking system and Sarasyn could be followed throughout every moment of the attempt. 

On his choice of using the Bridgestone Battlax Sport Touring T32 tyre to set this impressive world record, Sarasyn said, “I knew there would be highways but also mountain roads. So, I needed a versatile tyre. And I always loved the way the T32 front tyre handles and the feedback it gives. I had many challenges during the almost 1800km of this trip, but the tyres weren’t one of them.” 

These challenges included physical and mental fatigue, backpain, traffic problems, navigation failure and the excessive heat on the day. From 11am, the temperature remained above 35ºC, peaking at 39ºC in Austria and Liechtenstein. Even when Sarasyn finished in Arlon, the temperature was 35ºC. 

He said, “Hydrating is key in keeping the focus. I drank a lot and I think it was one of the major elements in making this adventure successful. That – and a set of great tyres!” 

Battlax’s next-generation sport touring tyres, the T32 and T32GT, are the result of technical expertise and technological applications that are at the forefront of tyre development. By significantly enhancing the tyre’s connection with the road from the T31, Bridgestone created a tyre that delivers incredible performance even in poor conditions. The objective is to give riders more control and confidence in the wet and this tyre delivers exactly that. 

Nico Thuy, Bridgestone EMIA Head of Motorcycle, said: “On behalf of all of us at Bridgestone, I’d like to say a huge congratulations to Thierry for his incredible achievement. Thierry’s confidence, performance level and versatility exemplifys all that is great about the T32. ‘Emotion’ is a key part of The Bridgestone E8 Commitment and Thierry’s efforts will certainly help to inspire excitement and spread joy to the world of mobility.” (TT)

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On 18 June, the prestigious 22nd ‘World Brand Conference and Release Ceremony of China's 500 Most Valuable Brands’ was held in Beijing, organised by the World Brand Lab. Demonstrating its industry leadership, Doublestar achieved an impressive brand valuation of CNY 116.208 billion (approximately USD 16.21 billion), securing the 93rd position overall and maintaining its position as the highest-ranked Chinese tyre brand for yet another year.

This recognition underscores Doublestar's strong market presence and consumer trust, built on decades of innovation and quality craftsmanship. Moving forward, the company has committed to strengthening its brand influence through continuous technological advancement and sustainable development. By focusing on research and production of safer, smarter and more environmentally friendly tyre solutions, Doublestar aims to not only meet evolving market demands but also drive the high-quality growth of China's tyre industry.

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Continental Tires has achieved a major sustainability milestone with all its European tyre production facilities now certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS standard. The certification extends to plants in Lousado (Portugal), Puchov (Slovakia), Korbach (Germany), Sarreguemines (France), Otrokovice (Czech Republic) and Timișoara (Romania), along with the supporting Industria Textil do Ave textile plant in Portugal. The company's Hefei facility in China has also earned this recognition, expanding Continental's sustainable manufacturing network globally.

The ISCC PLUS certification verifies Continental's compliance with rigorous traceability and documentation requirements for renewable and recycled materials used in tyre production. This system enables the company to track sustainable inputs throughout the manufacturing process using the mass balance approach, which allows gradual incorporation of eco-friendly materials while maintaining existing production systems. Continental is currently increasing its use of certified materials, including bio-based synthetic rubbers and circular-process carbon black, as part of its strategy to include over 40 percent sustainable materials in tyres by 2030.

As a globally recognised standard established in 2010, ISCC certification promotes climate-friendly, deforestation-free supply chains across multiple industries. It covers sustainable biomass, recycled materials and renewable resources, providing a framework for transparent, responsible sourcing. For Continental, this achievement represents both a validation of current sustainability efforts and a foundation for future innovations in eco-conscious tyre manufacturing. The company's growing network of certified facilities demonstrates its commitment to reducing environmental impact while maintaining product quality and performance standards across its global operations.

Jorge Almeida, head of Sustainability for Continental Tires, said, “The ISCC PLUS certification of all our European tyre plants is an important milestone and a strong signal for a more sustainable industry in Europe. But we're not stopping there. Our plants in other regions will follow step by step, like our Hefei plant, which is already certified. We have a strong ambition to make our tyre production more sustainable worldwide across our entire supply chain.”

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Bandvulc has expanded its Wastemaster 5 tyre range with a new 315/70 size, enhancing options for urban waste collection and recycling vehicles. Originally launched in 2021, this robust tyre boasts a high load rating and is manufactured at ContiLifeCycle’s Ivybridge facility in Devon, which produces Bandvulc and ContiRe retread tyres.

The Wastemaster 5 incorporates ARMORBAND technology, featuring a reinforced rubber layer along the sidewall to resist scrubbing damage and prolong tyre life. Its advanced tread design includes wide zig-zag grooves for mud and water clearance, stone ejection features, stepped blocks and deep sipes for superior traction in tough conditions. This upgrade reinforces Bandvulc’s commitment to durability and performance in demanding waste management operations.

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Eurogrip Tyres, India’s top 2 & 3-wheeler tyre brand under TVS Srichakra Ltd, today launched two exclusive retail stores in Chennai – at Selaiyur and Villivakkam. These outlets will stock a full range of two-wheeler tyres, tubes and biking accessories like helmets, alongside offering tyre care, puncture repair, fitment services and engine oil changes.

Catering to scooters, commuter bikes, performance bikes and superbikes, the stores provide diverse tyre patterns and sizes. They will also handle warranty claims for customers. The Selaiyur store is located at J C Group, Plot no 3, Agaram Main Road, Chennai - 600 073, while the Villivakkam outlet is at ST Enterprises, Old no 39E/New no 103, MTH Road, Chennai - 600 049. These expansions reinforce Eurogrip’s commitment to premium service and accessibility.

T K Ravi, COO, Eurogrip Tyres, said, “We are happy to reach out to more customers through our new branded retail stores. In a city that has a bustling two-wheeler vehicle population, there is a need to have more outlets to expand our network. Chennai is an important market for us, and we had opened our first branded retail store in Velachery last May. The response from customers and riders has been encouraging and we are happy to be launching 2 more stores in the city – this will help bolster our brand strength here. We plan to have more such signature stores in different cities to make our products and services easily accessible to customers.”

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