The French bicycle tire manufacturer, Hutchinson, launches the latest evolution of its gravel line with three new tires: Touareg Race, Touareg Race GS, and Caracal Race GS. Hutchinson was a pioneer and a first adopter of tubless technology. Back in 1999, the Universal System Tubless (UST) tech was introduced by Mavic, in partnership with Michelin and Hutchinson. If I remember right, it was a sealant-less system, and didn’t really work very well.
Drawing on over 130 years of tire engineering experience, Hutchinson has developed the Touareg Race, Touareg Race GS, and Caracal Race GS to work together as a system. So, you can mix and match them based on terrain and riding preferences.
“Gravel racing has evolved into a discipline defined by pure performance, data, and marginal gains”, said Martin Chuchu, Hutchinson Product Manager.At Hutchinson, we recognised that no single tyre could meet the demands of every modern gravel race. With the Caracal Race established as our fastest gravel tyre, we developed the Touareg Race to complete the system. Together, this pairing covers the vast majority of race conditions and represents the fastest gravel setup we’ve ever created.”
Let’s check ’em out.
Toureg Race
The Touareg Race represents the flagship of the new lineup, combining proven tread patterns with updated materials and construction. The new Touareg Race is built with Hutchinson’s Mach Tread 3.0 compound. This offers 25% better energy return and 10% higher tear resistance compared to previous versions.
The SwiftEasy casing reduces the weight of the tire while improving flexibility. This results in a race-ready tire that starts at 480g. Hutchinson’s performance testing shows the new Touareg Race runs 35% more efficiently than its predecessor, balancing low rolling resistance with stability and grip for aggressive riding.
All new models come in 40mm, 45mm, and 50mm widths, with the 50mm option marking Hutchinson’s response to the growing trend toward higher-volume gravel tires. The entire range is tubeless-ready and designed to work with modern wide-rim standards.
GridSkin Tech
Hutchinson also introduces GridSkin technology to its gravel performance range for the first time. This is meant to address the needs of riders on rocky terrain.
This knitted mesh reinforcement strengthens the tire by isolating cuts and tears to prevent sidewall punctures. This helps maintain rolling efficiency that Hutchinson says is close to the standard Touareg Race.
Hutchinson suggests pairing the Touareg Race at the front for maximum grip and control with the Caracal Race at the rear for pure speed, creating what they call the “Perfect Combo” for most gravel racing conditions.
The expansion includes the Caracal Race, which now offers a 50mm version combining speed with comfort on demanding terrain. All new tires come tubeless-ready and offer aesthetic choices between classic black or tan sidewalls for Race versions, and a speckled finish for GridSkin models.
Pricing is as follows:
- Touareg Race: €59.89, £54.99, $70
- Touareg Race GS: €64.89, £59.99, $76
- Caracal Race GS: €64.89, £59.99, $76
Both models are now available in wider 40mm, 45mm, and 50mm options, reflecting the trend toward higher-volume tires in gravel racing. Check the link below for more information.
Cycling.Hutchinson.com
