Hutchinson's New Gravel Racing Tyres
As gravel cycling continues to grow in popularity, Hutchinson reaffirms its commitment to the discipline with the launch of two groundbreaking products: the Caracal Race and Caracal tyres.
With a rich heritage deeply rooted in gravel riding and a passion for pushing the boundaries of performance, Hutchinson's latest offerings combine performance, innovation and a strong commitment to the gravel community.
Embracing Gravel: A Story of Passion and Expertise
At Hutchinson, gravel is more than a trend – it is a way of life. From the beginning, Hutchinson has been deeply involved in the gravel scene, developing an extensive understanding of its unique demands and possibilities.
From winding backcountry trails to epic endurance races, Hutchinson has followed the evolution of gravel riding firsthand and continuously adapted its products to meet the needs of riders worldwide.
With more than 130 years of expertise in manufacturing road tyres and pioneering developments in mountain bike tyres, including the invention of tubeless technology, Hutchinson brings extensive knowledge and experience to the gravel discipline.
The company's tyres are developed and produced in France using high-quality materials and compounds, with continuous innovation driving the development of products designed to redefine the gravel riding experience.
Inspired by Excellence: Introducing the Caracal Race
With the Caracal Race, Hutchinson raises the bar for high-level gravel performance.
Drawing inspiration from its latest developments in road racing with the Blackbird, Hutchinson has integrated advanced technologies to create a tyre designed specifically for competitive gravel racing.
The Caracal Race is engineered to save valuable watts and maximise speed. According to Hutchinson, rolling resistance is reduced by an unprecedented 40% compared with similar semi-slick gravel tyres in the Hutchinson range.
At the heart of the Caracal Race is the innovative SwiftEasy casing technology, derived from Hutchinson's high-performance road tyres. By reducing rolling resistance and increasing flexibility, this construction is designed to deliver speed and efficiency across a wide range of terrain.
The tyre is paired with the high-performance Mach Tread 3.0 compound, described by Hutchinson as its fastest compound ever developed. The result is a highly responsive gravel racing tyre designed for maximum efficiency.
Handmade in France
Versatility Redefined: Introducing the Caracal
For riders looking for versatility without compromising performance, the Caracal tyres offer a balance of performance and durability.
Featuring Hardskin bead-to-bead reinforcement, the Caracal provides increased puncture protection and reliability. Whether riding rugged trails or covering long distances on the road, the Caracal is designed to perform across a wide range of conditions.
Handmade in France
Unleash Your Gravel Adventure with Hutchinson
With Hutchinson's complete range of gravel tyres, riders can create the setup best suited to their individual needs.
Whether the goal is a long off-road adventure or a high-speed race, the Caracal family is designed to cover a wide range of gravel riding applications.
Hutchinson Caracal Race
Dry / Hard Pack
Race
The Caracal Race represents the pinnacle of Hutchinson's gravel racing tyre development. Designed for elite racing and high-speed gravel riding, it combines technologies developed through Hutchinson's road racing programme with a gravel-specific construction.
The tyre incorporates the innovative SwiftEasy casing and Mach Tread 3.0 compound, developed with the latest generation of Hutchinson road racing technology.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|
| Brand | Hutchinson |
| Model | Caracal Race |
| Discipline | Gravel |
| Intended Use | Race |
| Terrain | Dry / Hard Pack |
| Size | 700×40C |
| ETRTO | 40-622 |
| Construction | Racing Lab / Tubeless Ready |
| Bead | Folding |
| Compound | Mach Tread 3.0 |
| Sidewall | Tan Walls |
| TPI | 127 |
| Weight | 475 g |
| Part Number | PV532641 |
Unmatched Performance
The Mach Tread 3.0 compound provides high energy return, helping maximise the efficiency of every pedal stroke.
The compound is designed to provide confidence when cornering while also offering high resistance to abrasion, making it suitable for demanding gravel riding.
Superior Flexibility and Comfort
The Caracal Race incorporates Hutchinson's innovative SwiftEasy casing construction, designed to provide exceptional flexibility and comfort without compromising performance.
This construction enhances ride quality and contributes to precise control, particularly during longer rides.
Tubeless Ready Design
The Tubeless Ready construction is designed to optimise performance and minimise weight while providing additional puncture protection.
The result is a smoother ride with fewer interruptions, allowing riders to maintain their focus during racing and long-distance gravel riding.
In Practice
Competitive gravel riding has grown significantly in recent years, with manufacturer teams forming and numerous timed events emerging.
The Caracal Race was developed to meet the requirements of elite gravel athletes, offering a balance between speed on straight sections and grip through corners.
Its progressive tread blocks provide versatility across different types of terrain, making the tyre suitable for both fast gravel racing and high-speed mixed-surface riding.
Advice from a Pro
Professional gravel athlete Diederik Deelen shares his experience:
“In gravel competitions, performance is key. The Caracal Race offers exceptional performance. On asphalt, it rivals the best road tyres. On trails, it provides remarkable fluidity.”
The Caracal Race is designed for competitive gravel riders looking for a combination of speed, flexibility, cornering confidence and versatility across mixed surfaces.
