Pirelli has launched the P ZERO™ Race TLR SL-R, a road tyre designed to maximise on-road speed by combining aerodynamics, rolling efficiency, handling and grip in a single product.
At the core of the new tyre’s development is PAAS (Pirelli Advanced Aerodynamic System), a patented technology making its debut on this product. PAAS reshapes the tyre to improve its interaction with the rim, smooth airflow and maximise the sailing effect of the wheel–tyre system. By optimising the geometry of the tyre once mounted and inflated, and the positioning of its widest point, PAAS enables delayed flow separation and full exploitation of this effect, improving the overall aerodynamic efficiency of the wheel system.
A further distinctive feature of PAAS technology is its ability to enhance aerodynamic performance without compromising other tyre characteristics. It allows rolling efficiency, comfort and handling to remain at the highest levels, ensuring a well-balanced, no-compromise package.
Pirelli’s aerodynamic studies have also led to the development of a specific micro-textured surface on the new tyre’s slick tread, designed to further optimise airflow and enhance aerodynamics, grip and road feel, even at high speeds.
Thanks to its distinctive shape, the P ZERO Race TLR SL-R helps reduce wheel drag, with average savings of up to 5 watts in crosswind conditions, with peaks of up to 15 watts under specific conditions.
Moreover, outstanding rolling resistance figures further reinforce the concept of speed, achieved thanks to the new LiteCORE casing, which delivers a further 10% reduction in rolling resistance compared with Pirelli’s best-performing tyre in the range. The company added that LiteCORE is the lightest and most efficient tubeless-ready structure ever developed by Pirelli for road tyres, ensuring it remains highly responsive under acceleration, along with precise control in all riding conditions.
The P ZERO Race TLR SL-R features the SmartEVO² compound, already used on the RS model and a multiple race winner, including two prestigious Classics, Milan-Sanremo 2025 and Paris-Roubaix 2025, with Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Premier Tech). This top-tier compound contributes to high levels of grip and control, in both dry and wet conditions, effectively broadening the tyre’s usable range across a variety of road surfaces.
The new tyre complies with the latest ETRTO standards and has been specifically optimised for modern wide internal rim widths, ranging from 22 to 25 mm. Compatible with hookless rims within the indicated maximum pressure limits, the tyre is already available at leading cycling retailers in 28-622 and 30-622 sizes, in both black sidewall with silver label and yellow “Team Edition” versions. After summer, the range will be further expanded with the introduction of a 32 mm version.