There's a difference between tires used for training and racing. Most of us are out here for the exercise and the fun of riding a bike and probably have budget concerns. TDF riders have flats and have a support vehicle to get 'em back racing. What I think the OP and most of us are seeking is that balance of decent road feel, durability and ruggedness. Light weight tires and wheels are easier to accelerate. Having said that smooth rolling heavy tires have inertia. The comments about the Conti Ultra Sport approaching Perpetual Motion may have something to due with the claimed weight of 340g for the wire bead or 270g for the folder vs. 205 for the GP 4000 (folder only)

Here's a blog post I found this morning that may be interesting: http://redkiteprayer.com/?p=1677

I researched comments about Specialized Mondo here on BF and found however much the blogger on RKP liked 'em there were people here that had bad luck.

I do appreciate the comments about outsourcing. Like buying grocery store "brand" food sometimes the quality is just as good in my perception as the well known BRAND next to it at a higher price. That's a bargain. Sometimes it's definitely a second in quality but the price may relieve that lack. Then again I've thrown some out and regretted the purchase.