Continental has launched a 2026 Tour de France Limited Edition tyre set, combining the brand's aero-focused Aero 111 front tyre with a Grand Prix 5000 S TR rear tyre.
Both tyres carry Tour de France branding, and this is the first time the Aero 111 has been available in a 'transparent' (tan) sidewall.
According to Continental, the tan-coloured Aero 111 will be available exclusively as part of the Tour de France bundle and won't be sold separately.
The package pairs a 29mm Aero 111 front tyre with a 30mm Grand Prix 5000 S TR rear tyre and will retail for £199.99 / $257.95 / €216.95.
What is the Aero 111?
The Aero 111 tyre was launched in 2024, positioned as Continental's most aerodynamic road tyre, developed in partnership with Swiss Side and DT Swiss. Its distinctive tread pattern is designed to reduce aerodynamic drag and enhance the so-called 'sailing effect' in crosswinds.
The tyre can be bought separately, and as part of a bundle with the latest DT Swiss ARC racing wheels and a Grand Prix 5000 S TR.
The Aero 111 is said to weigh 265g in its 29mm size (interestingly, 15g lighter than when the tyre initially launched), while the 30mm Grand Prix 5000 S TR is claimed to weigh 305g.
Both tyres use Continental's BlackChili rubber compound and Vectran puncture-protection layer, and are tubeless-ready and approved for use with hookless-compatible wheel systems (within ETRTO recommendations).
What happened to the Archetype – and where is the TT TR?
The combination appears to throw into doubt the future of last year’s limited-edition Archetype tyre.
We speculated that tyre could have been a precursor to a new Grand Prix race tyre, but instead Continental is now promoting the more broadly available Aero 111 / Grand Prix 5000 S TR combination.
While this doesn’t rule out a new tyre coming in the future, it could suggest the Archetype (and any variations thereof) requires more development before it’s considered ready for consumers.
We're also somewhat surprised Continental hasn't paired the Aero 111 with its Grand Prix 5000 TT TR on outright performance grounds.
The TT TR sits at the very top of Continental's road-racing range and, thanks to its lighter weight (280g claimed in a size 30mm) and thinner two-ply carcass construction, is ostensibly the faster tyre.
While the company positions it primarily as a time-trial and race-day option, it has become increasingly common to see professional riders using TT TR tyres in road races where outright speed usually takes precedence over longevity.
For that reason, we'd be surprised if Continental-sponsored WorldTour teams line up using the Aero 111 / Grand Prix 5000 S TR combination during this year's Tour de France.
It’s worth noting that the TT TR is only available with black sidewalls, meaning teams may opt to run the standard black Aero 111 front tyre in their preferred size to avoid an awkward aesthetic.
We’re also prepared for bikes to be shod with the limited-edition tyre at official pre-Tour press events, with a switch coming later.
The inclusion of the Grand Prix 5000 S TR in the retail bundle is likely a more pragmatic decision. The S TR is considered an all-round race tyre, with greater durability and therefore broader appeal for everyday riders.
Despite this, Continental says the limited-edition tyres will be available to its sponsored teams competing at the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.
