A tire recapping and retreading method and apparatus that includes a rigid, segmented tread mold (14). The mold segments (26), (28), (30), (32) are retained in place over the tire carcass and uncured tread material by a resilient elastic tension band located in an annular groove (16) or by prestressed metal tension springs. Further retaining force is provided by a resilient envelope to complete the formation of the retread when the tire and apparatus is placed in a hot air oven.