I haven't ridden tubulars in almost 2 decades (marriage, money, time and attention) but got a wake-up call on the unsung place and reason of tubular superiority - anytime you flat completely going really fast. Well glued tubulars stay on, the hard rim never sees the pavement and braking and coming to a stop is no big deal, from any speed.

I blew an old tired clincher at around 25 mph on a slight downhill. It came off after I spent about 40 feet trying to control and slow the bike with the aluminum rim on the pavement feeling like I was riding on ice. Jammed in the seatstay and tossed me for a bunch of broken and bracked bones, a hard head hit and acres of road rash, By contrast, I have blown tubulars on real downhills at 40+ with no ill effects other than a huge spike in my heartrate.

I suspect that simple difference is a real reason many pros prefer tubulars. If I did 60 mph descents as part of a contract, I'd insist on them.

Ben