Gravel tyres on cyclocross bike. Size, tubes, design, speed!

[Duke Caboom]

Non expert here.

I race duathlons on hard packed forest tracks using a cyclocross bike with 33mm cyclocross tyres on Mavic a317 wheels.

Last week a last minute puncture meant using my ancient mountain bike. There was no wind, which helped, but there MTB was barely any slower, much more comfortable and better when I needed to use less tightly packed parts of the course.

So I want to get the best of both worlds by fitting wider tyres to the cyclocross bike.

At the nearest point, just behind the crank, I have 52mm width. I don't ride on thick mud.

Will 47mm tyres be ok?
The gravel drains quickly and it's a very dry part of the country so will speed-focused tyres, with a central slick be ok?
With these tyres offer enough protection to not need slime filled tubes?

Thanks

[Benson11]

I've used Schwalbe G-one's or G-oneR's for a while now and they have been great gravel tyres, a bit of tread for grip but not draggy on the road. They come in a few widths, I prefer the bigger tyres for comfort but i'm not racing, I didn't find any noticeable difference in drag swapping from 40-45mm recently.

I run them tubeless and they have been very reliable and puncture resistant, I did run a G-oneRS in the summer but found that was a bit weaker and more puncture prone but is an excellent fast tyre but I wouldn't recommend it if you are doing a lot of gravel riding

[Duke Caboom]

Just incase anyone is interested from OP:

Signed up for a month of https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/road-bike...

Based on their data bought a set of Continental Terra Speed ProTection TR Folding Gravel Tyre - 700c - Transparent / 700c / 45mm

Actually bought one to check it fitted the tighter rear, when it did comfortably, bought another to go on the front.

Did first race a few weeks ago. Nearly 10% faster than on the cyclocross tyres from before. Possibly slightly fitter but not 10% fitter.