Paris-Roubaix crashes spark debate about tubeless tyre safety on the cobbles

ROUBAIX FRANCE APRIL 09 EDITORS NOTE Image depicts graphic content LR Kasper Asgreen of Denmark and Team Soudal Quick Step and Dylan Van Baarle of The Netherlands and Team JumboVisma after being involved in a crash during the 120th ParisRoubaix 2023 Mens Elite a 2566km one day race from Compigne to Roubaix on UCIWT April 09 2023 in Roubaix France Photo by Etienne Garnier PoolGetty Images
A crash in the Forest of Arenberg left several riders injured (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

Several high-speed crashes and punctures on the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix have highlighted possible limitations of tubeless tyres in such extreme race conditions, with Vincenzo Nibali and Luke Rowe both speaking out about the tyre technology that has rapidly taken over in the professional peloton. 

Derek Gee of Israel-Premier managed to stop his bike and avoided crashing after his front tyre punctured and came off the rim as he entered the Forest of Arenberg in the breakaway. 

Stephen Farrand
Head of News

Stephen is the most experienced member of the Cyclingnews team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. He has been Head of News at Cyclingnews since 2022, before which he held the position of European editor since 2012 and previously worked for Reuters, Shift Active Media, and CyclingWeekly, among other publications.