Tread pattern with elongated tread elements

A tire tread has two circumferential grooves (14,16) and a circumferentially extending column (24) of tetragon shaped blocks (28) located between the two circumferential grooves (14,16). In the circumferential extending column (24) of blocks (28), each block (28) is separated from an adjacent block by an inclined lateral groove (30), the inclined lateral groove forming an angle (3) between 10 DEG to 25 DEG with one of the circumferential grooves (14,16). Each block (28) in the column (24) has a circumferential length (L) at least equal to the normal pressure footprint length (LF) of the tire. The length of the blocks (28) permits the column of adjacent blocks to act as a rib while maintaining desired block characteristics. The width (WR) of the blocks (28) of the circumferentially extending column (24) being in the range of 15 to 50% of the tread width (TW).