Originally Posted by FBinNY

Someone else posted and then apparently deleted a reference to the possibility that the edge of the liner caused this.

It's a valid point and needs to be considered. As you ride and the tire flexes (especially if ridden at comparatively lower pressure), the end of the liner slides forward and back. Over time this can chafe and abrade the inside of the tire, eventually cutting into the cords which then fray and tear apart like a weighted rope would if cut part way through.

So whether the cords were cut by an outside source, as evidenced by the cuts in the tread, or abraded by the liner, the effect is the same, they'd fray apart and the tire would blow.

This isn't a reflection of tire quality, the same can and does happen to any tire regardless of price or quality. As a long term tubular rider, I can attest that even the most expensive silk tires can go this way.