‘I’m wondering the place it’ll cease’ – Mathieu van der Poel weighs in on Cyclingnews tyre width check

In the ever-evolving world of WorldTour bike tech, gear developments can shift as rapidly because the peloton itself. 

One such development, which has been a subject of explicit curiosity this week right here at Cyclingews, is the transfer in direction of wider tyres. Our newest lab check proved that for many riders, 40mm tyres are quicker, and that on cobbled surfaces there is a potential good thing about over 70 watts. 

The full particulars can be found to Cyclingnews subscribers, and one of many WorldTour’s largest names has weighed in together with his ideas. 

Speaking forward of Milan-San Remo, Mathieu van der Poel acknowledged he is been sluggish to comply with the development. 

“Last yr, I used to be one of many solely riders to nonetheless trip 28 millimetres, simply because I form of favored them,” the Dutchman started.

“The workforce was already using 30 millimetres final yr, so for positive it is a development. The huge benefit with larger tyres is that you should utilize a decrease tyre strain, and that, in fact, makes a giant distinction on the cobbles.

“There’s a giant probability I’ll trip 30 millimetres this yr within the Classics races.”

The Cyclingnews check pitted tyres from Pirelli’s P Zero TLR lineup, from sizes 26mm proper as much as 40mm, in opposition to one another throughout two wheelsets, two floor sorts, two speeds, and 7 yaw angles in a check that in contrast the potential rolling resistance profit in opposition to the aerodynamic detriment. 

The worst-case to best-case distinction was a saving of over 70 watts, however even between an already-common 32mm tyre and a currently-rare 40mm tyre on the identical rim, there have been over 25 watts on the desk on cobbled surfaces. 

By coincidence, Van der Poel’s Alpecin-Deceunick workforce switched to Pirelli tyres at the beginning of the 2025 season, so he does have the 40mm tyre accessible to him, ought to he need them. 

But even with the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix looming on the horizon, there’s an excellent motive why he will not use them. 

The Dutchman’s most well-liked race bike – the Canyon Aeroad CFR – does not have clearance sufficient to suit them. To reap the benefits of the 40mm rubber, he’d have to modify to a unique bike, and given the Aeroad CFR is Canyon’s most aero choice, the rest can be much less aerodynamic general. 

The Cyclingnews lab check did examine the aerodynamic penalty of the broader tyre when doing the calculations, nevertheless it managed for the bike utilizing a Cube gravel bike because the check mule. For Van der Poel – and certainly many of the WorldTour peloton – to make use of 40mm tyres, he’d not solely must issue within the aerodynamic penalty of the larger tyre, but additionally the completely different body, cockpit and so forth. Potentially even a unique using place too.

Notably, Israel Premier-Tech made the daring determination to make use of the Factor Ostro Gravel bike finally yr’s Paris-Roubaix, a motorbike which might clear 40mm tyres with ease, however given something wider than 32mm tyres fouled the again aspect of their Shimano entrance derailleur, they missed out on a doubtlessly sizeable acquire. 

If they threw warning to the wind and switched to a 1x groupset and acceptable wheels, the information suggests 46 watts may have been saved. 

Van der Poel is rightly cautious in regards to the real-world advantages, although. Even at Paris-Roubaix, there are over 100 miles of easy roads to take care of across the cobbled sectors, and there, on the speeds the skilled peloton rides at, the aerodynamic profit may rapidly offset the rolling resistance enchancment, assuming in fact that the Dutchman has his nostril within the wind and is not safely ensconced within the peloton. 

Whether the web distinction over the complete course can be optimistic or unfavorable is unknown, and largely depending on how a rider chooses to race. 

“The distinction just isn’t so huge,” Van der Poel continued. “But if you happen to examine it to a 23-millimetre tyre, then there’s an unlimited distinction. I’m wondering the place it’ll cease. You see already riders utilizing 35mm tyres in Roubaix, which is actually vast.

“I believe there’s additionally a restrict to it. After some time, if you happen to go any larger, you will not be quicker anymore.”

The Dutchman’s opinion shines one thing of a light-weight on his mindset in the case of tech, marginal good points and gear optimisation. 

While some riders are early adopters, similar to Victor Campenaerts’ use of the Classified hub, Tadej Pogačar’s use of carbon chainrings, and Primoz Roglic’s use of a gravel groupset, Van der Poel seems joyful to make use of what he is given, and what he is used to. 

You cannot say it is not working for him although. The Dutchman soloed to his second successive Paris-Roubaix win in historic vogue in 2024. He broke away alone with 60km to go, ending a full three minutes up on his teammate Jasper Philipsen in second place, setting a document common velocity within the course of. 

His palmares is without doubt one of the greatest within the sport’s historical past, too, and he exhibits no signal of slowing down.