Vittoria announced today that private equity investors, Telemos Capital, signed a binding agreement to acquire a majority stake in Vittoria. Telemos will invest alongside Vittoria’s senior management team and Wise Equity to build on the company’s leadership position in performance tyres and to accelerate bicycle tyre manufacturer’s growth globally.

With the backing of Telemos, Vittoria claims that it will accelerate its plans for international expansion and further development of its products, services and channels. The bicycle tyre manufacturer states that it will continue to invest in sustainability, innovation and research and development, building upon its best-in-class manufacturing facilities as well as its recently inaugurated Vittoria Park, a cycling innovation and experience venue.

Sharing his thoughts, Stijn Vriends, Chairman and CEO of Vittoria, said, “In Vittoria, we are committed to make the most advanced bicycle tyres on the planet, to deliver the best riding experiences to cyclists of all kinds. The support of Wise Equity has been fantastic over the last years and we are very pleased that Telemos, with all its relevant experience in growing global brands, is now joining us on the ride.”

Putting across his views, Philippe Jacobs, Executive Chairman of Telemos Capital, said, “For over 60 years, Vittoria has been at the core of cycling performance with an unparalleled track-record of wins across many disciplines of the sport. We feel privileged to be the new owners of such a storied brand and are excited about the prospects in front of us, as we join forces with the Vittoria team.”

Adding to this, Jacob Polny, Chief Investment Officer of Telemos Capital, said, “We are strong believers in the consumer trends at play in the cycling and broader outdoor categories, and are impressed by Vittoria’s achievements to date. We very much look forward to working with Stijn and the Vittoria leadership team and will look to contribute with our experience to successfully build and grow another leading international brand.”

Paolo Gambarini, Founding Partner of Wise Equity, further said, “Vittoria is the perfect example of how Wise Equity supports Italian companies and management teams to excel worldwide. In the last years, Vittoria achieved impressive growth and enlarged its global leadership in premium bicycle tyres. This leadership will be reinforced by the recent investments in Vittoria Park, the innovation centre and in the first carbon-neutral factory in the bicycle tyre industry. We are very much looking forward to the continued collaboration, now strengthened with Telemos.”

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Nankang Tyre has entered into a partnership with Santa Pod Raceway, becoming the official tyre supplier for the UK's premier drag racing venue. The collaboration will see Nankang provide tyres for Santa Pod's packed annual schedule of over 60 motorsport events and automotive festivals.

Santa Pod's diverse calendar features championship drag racing alongside major gatherings like Bug Jam and Ultimate Street Car, plus enthusiast events such as The Fast Show, Revvd Up!, Das GTI Show and JapShow along with marque-specific celebrations including the BMW Show, Vauxhall Show and Ford Mega Weekend. This partnership strengthens Nankang's presence in the UK performance market while supporting Santa Pod's commitment to delivering world-class motorsport experiences.

Caroline Holden, Commercial Manager at Santa Pod Raceway, said, “We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Nankang Tyres as an official tyre partner. Their commitment to performance, innovation and motorsport excellence aligns perfectly with our own values. With their proven track record in high-performance tyre technology, Nankang is a fantastic fit for our performance, drift and enthusiast events. We look forward to an exciting partnership that keeps our participants pushing the limits.”

Nankang Tyre’s Chad Price said, “One of the key reasons we chose to partner with Santa Pod – the UK’s premier drag strip – is our deep admiration for how its events are branded and promoted. Santa Pod’s world-class reputation and expertly crafted advertising are truly impressive. We’re confident this collaboration will drive significant advantages for our business, from boosted tyre sales to enriched marketing exposure. It’s a strategic move we’re enthusiastic about, and we look forward to working closely together over the coming years.”

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Goodyear has unveiled its latest premium all-season tyre, the Assurance MaxLife 2, engineered to provide drivers with extended tread life, enhanced comfort and reliable all-weather performance. The next-generation tyre is now available in US and Canada and comes with an industry-leading 85,000-mile (140,000 km) limited treadwear warranty, making it Goodyear’s most durable offering to date.

The Assurance MaxLife 2 incorporates Goodyear’s proprietary TredLife Technology, featuring an advanced tread compound and optimised pattern for durability and all-season traction. Four deep circumferential grooves and zigzag sipes enhance grip in wet and dry conditions, while an integrated Wear Gauge allows drivers to easily monitor tread depth. Additionally, the tyre offers a quiet, smooth ride and includes expanded fitments, including W-speed-rated and XL sizes, catering to performance-oriented and heavier vehicles.

Designed to meet the needs of modern drivers, the Assurance MaxLife 2 is compatible with a broad range of vehicles, including sedans, hybrids, crossovers and luxury SUVs. With 58 available sizes, it fits popular models such as the BMW X5, Mercedes GLE, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Ford Explorer and Toyota RAV4.

Ryan Waldron, President, Goodyear Americas, said, "The Goodyear Assurance MaxLife 2 is a direct response to what today's drivers are asking for when it comes to their tyres. We're proud to bring a tyre to the market that will not only meet consumer expectations but exceed them, with an impressive tread life and performance that drivers can count on."

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The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company announced at the 2025 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh opening that it will donate the last remaining GZ20-era blimp gondola frame to the EAA Museum, where it will be featured in a new children’s exhibit. This iconic gondola, once part of the Europe-based Europa and Florida’s Stars and Stripes blimps, represents nearly 40 years of aviation history before Goodyear transitioned to its modern NT airships in 2011.

The donation highlights Goodyear’s 100th-anniversary celebration of its blimp programme, honouring its legacy while inspiring future generations. Alongside this gift, Goodyear unveiled a limited-edition keepsake: a framed fragment of the Spirit of Goodyear blimp’s envelope, which flew from 2000 to 2014 and set a Guinness World Record for continuous operation. Proceeds from sales will support the EAA Museum’s children’s exhibit.

Goodyear Aviation will showcase its latest tyre technology at Booth #489. In a first for Oshkosh, two blimps – Wingfoot One (with a vintage Pilgrim livery) and Wingfoot Two (featuring an LED sign)—will perform in daily and nighttime airshows, commemorating a century of Goodyear’s airborne innovation.

Michael Dougherty, Goodyear's Chief Pilot, said, "As we celebrate our blimp programme's 100th anniversary, there's no better way to honour its legacy than by inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts. We hope this exhibit sparks curiosity and dreams of flight on aircraft of all kinds in countless children into the future."

Chris Henry, EAA Aviation Museum Manager, said, "Goodyear's Blimp flying has been an iconic part of aviation for a century, so this donation is a great fit as part of our museum's mission to tell the story of flight. Just as Goodyear Blimps have brought fascination with flight, this donation will be part of a future exhibit that inspires those with aviation dreams."

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The 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) continued with Round 8, Delfi Rally Estonia, which concluded successfully on 20 July in Tartu and southern Estonia. Hankook Tyre & Technology, the event’s exclusive tyre supplier, provided its high-performance 'Dynapro R213' rally tyres, engineered for durability and stability across challenging terrain. The tyres delivered exceptional shock absorption on gravel, along with strong grip and precise handling at high speeds.

Known for its rapid pace, Rally Estonia featured 20 high-speed special stages covering 308 kilometres, combining flat-out straights through forest roads with tight, technical corners. With average speeds exceeding 120 kmph on gravel, drivers faced demanding conditions, including loose surfaces, consecutive jumps and rough terrain – making tyre reliability a critical factor in performance.

In the WRC1 class, Toyota’s Oliver Solberg claimed his first career victory, while Hyundai’s Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville finished second and third, respectively. Tänak’s podium moved him to the top of the Driver’s Championship standings, just one point ahead of Toyota’s Elfyn Evans.

The championship now heads to Secto Rally Finland (31 July–3 August), where Hankook Tire will again supply its rally tyres for the ultra-fast stages, featuring blind crests and dramatic jumps. Prior to the 2025 season, Hankook conducted over 2,000 km of real-world testing across eight countries, working with the FIA and manufacturers to develop FIA-certified rally tyres.

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