'We don't feel it was a tyre issue' – UAE Team Emirates dismiss Luke Rowe and Geraint Thomas comments on use of TT tyres in wet Giro d'Italia stages

UAE Team Emirates has firmly rejected claims that the crashes involving their leaders Adam Yates, Jay Vine, and Marc Soler during stage 2 of the Giro d’Italia were caused by their choice of time trial (TT) tyres. The team, which routinely uses Continental’s GP 5000 TT model, maintains that the incidents were primarily due to wet conditions and high speeds rather than any inherent issue with the tyres themselves. Despite criticism from prominent figures in the cycling world, UAE Team Emirates insists their riders have long relied on these tyres across various race conditions without significant problems. The controversy arose following comments made by Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe on their podcast, where they suggested that the GP 5000 TT tyres offer less grip than standard road tyres, particularly in wet weather. Both former professional riders, now team directors, questioned the wisdom of using TT tyres on rainy stages, highlighting the stage 2 crash that saw UAE’s riders lose control. Thomas acknowledged that while his own team had adopted the TT tyres over time for their speed advantages, the grip compromise in adverse conditions remained a concern. Continental’s GP 5000 TT tyres, developed with input from UAE Team Emirates, are marketed as some of the fastest road tyres available, suitable for a range of disciplines including time trials and road racing. The team’s confidence in the tyre was further demonstrated during stage 5 of the Giro, where Igor Arrieta secured a victory despite challenging wet conditions. UAE Team Emirates’ spokesperson reiterated that the crashes were not due to tyre performance but rather the combination of rain and race pace, underscoring their continued commitment to the GP 5000 TT model. The debate over tyre choice in professional cycling highlights the ongoing balance between speed and safety, especially under variable weather conditions. While TT tyres may offer aerodynamic and rolling resistance advantages, their grip in wet conditions remains contentious among riders and teams. As the Giro progresses, the performance and safety of equipment choices like tyres will continue to be scrutinised, with teams needing to weigh the risks and benefits carefully in pursuit of victory.