Why are Visma-Lease a Bike glueing their tubeless tyres into place at the Spring Classics?

Visma-Lease a Bike mechanics have reportedly adopted an unconventional strategy for the Spring Classics, applying tubular glue to their tubeless road tyres. This technique, observed at races like Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, aims to enhance tyre security and prevent burping or unseating, particularly on the notoriously rough cobbled sectors. While tubeless technology typically relies on sealant and bead seating, the Dutch squad is adding an extra layer of adhesion for critical reliability.

This seemingly anachronistic approach highlights the relentless pursuit of marginal gains, even if it means borrowing from older technologies. Tubeless tyres offer lower rolling resistance and puncture protection, but their Achilles' heel on extreme terrain can be the risk of sudden air loss if the bead unseats. Visma-Lease a Bike's move suggests a calculated trade-off: sacrificing the ease of roadside tubeless repair for absolute confidence in tyre retention, a critical factor given their aggressive racing style and the high stakes of the Classics.

Ultimately, this is less about a technological regression and more about pragmatic problem-solving. When millions are on the line, a little old-school sticky stuff is apparently a small price to pay for peace of mind over the pavé.