Bold claim: Cadex asserts that Amaury Capiot’s Omloop het Nieuwsblad wheel failure was not caused by hookless rims, but by prolonged riding over cobbles after a deflation. In a formal response, Cadex—Giant’s affiliated brand—says the issue arose from repeated impact on a flat, damaged rear Cadex Aero Cotton tyre during the cobbled section, which eventually cracked the rim. They note that the rim collapse led to the spokes displacing from the hub and the wheel’s failure, which then unseated the tyre from the rim.
Origin of the controversy
- Cadex counters an earlier team claim that riding long on cobbles with a puncture caused the failure, a point initially reported by Cyclingnews.
- The incident involved a tyre liner inside the tubeless setup, visible around the Cadex Ultra 50 rim. Tyre liners are commonly used in cobbled races to offer some run-flat protection and cushion the rim once a puncture causes deflation.
- Cadex observes that the team support car was notably distant, suggesting limited outside assistance during the critical moments.
Is the tyre liner to blame or merely insufficient protection?
- The liner’s function is to expand into the unpressurized space and cushion the rim edge during deflation. Even so, Cadex states this wasn’t enough to prevent rim failure in this case.
- A key caveat from Cadex is that neither Giant nor Cadex recommend tyre liners for their rims, and the Jayco-AlUla team’s setup reportedly operated outside those guidelines. Nevertheless, the liner isn’t explicitly blamed for the failure.
Timeline and outcome
- Cadex estimates the initial impact occurred at around 47–48 kph.
- After the impact, Capiot continued through the cobbled sections with a compromised wheel until the rim fractured and the wheel collapsed.
- Cadex emphasizes that, despite the extreme forces, the wheel remained sufficiently stable to avoid a crash, even as it ultimately yielded.
Expanding the context for readers
- This incident fuels ongoing debate about hookless rim designs in tough, cobbled conditions and whether tyre characteristics or support logistics contribute more to such failures.
- It also highlights the practical limits of tyre liners in protecting rims under severe impacts and the importance of adhering to manufacturer guidelines on accessories and setups.
Discussion questions
- Should teams routinely test and verify deflation scenarios with liner-equipped tubeless setups on cobbles, or is reliance on liners inherently risky?
- Do you think the emphasis on rim design distracts from broader factors like tyre construction, maintenance, and race strategy in harsh environments? share your take in the comments.
