Škoda Auto Celebrates 21 Years As Tour De France’s Main Partner – DriveSpark

This
year,
Škoda
Auto
is
providing
205
mainly
electric
and
plug-in
hybrid
vehicles
to
the
Tour
de
France
organisers.
The
all-electric
Škoda
Enyaq
and
the
Superb
will
serve
as
the
‘Red
Car’
for
Tour
director
Christian
Prudhomme.
Fans
can
experience
the
race
atmosphere
through
various
digital
and
on-location
activities
organised
by
the
Czech
carmaker.

The
111th
Tour
de
France
begins
on
29
June
in
Florence,
Italy.
For
the
first
time,
it
will
not
conclude
in
Paris
due
to
the
upcoming
Olympic
Games.
Instead,
the
race
will
end
in
Nice
on
21
July.
The
route
covers
nearly
3,500
kilometres
across
21
stages,
involving
176
riders
and
205
Škoda
support
cars.

Since
2004,
Škoda
Auto
has
been
a
steadfast
partner
of
the
Tour
de
France.
This
year
marks
their
21st
consecutive
year
as
the
official
main
partner.
The
company
also
supports
the
Tour
de
France
Femmes
avec
Zwift
for
the
third
year
running.
In
February,
Škoda
extended
its
partnership
with
A.S.O.,
the
event
organiser,
until
2028.

Martin
Jahn,
Škoda
Board
Member
for
Sales
and
Marketing,
stated:
“For
over
20
years,
Škoda
has
been
closely
associated
with
professional
cycling.
By
extending
our
agreement
until
2028
earlier
this
year,
we
demonstrate
our
firm
commitment
to
A.S.O.
and
the
global
cycling
community.”

The
official
fleet
includes
205
Škoda
vehicles
that
will
accompany
the
peloton
of
176
cyclists
across
four
countries:
Italy,
San
Marino,
Monaco,
and
France.
The
stages
include
eight
flat
sections,
four
hilly
stages,
seven
mountain
stages,
and
two
time
trials.
The
route
passes
through
notable
regions
like
the
Italian
Apennines
and
French
Alps.

Christian
Prudhomme
will
lead
the
peloton
in
a
specially
equipped
Red
Car
featuring
a
panoramic
sunroof
and
advanced
communication
technology.
This
mobile
command
centre
ensures
seamless
coordination
throughout
the
race.

Engaging
Fans
Through
Digital
Platforms

Fans
can
access
exclusive
content
via
Škoda’s
social
media
channels
and
WeLoveCycling
website.
They
can
compete
for
prizes
such
as
premium
bicycles
and
signed
green
jerseys.
The
grand
prize
is
a
three-day
trip
to
this
year’s
Tour
de
France,
including
a
helicopter
ride
over
the
route
and
riding
with
Andy
Schleck.

Former
British
professional
cyclist
Cameron
Jeffers
will
provide
behind-the-scenes
insights
under
the
#whatsyourtourde
hashtag
on
social
media
channels.
Additionally,
fans
can
follow
live
action
through
the
Tour
de
France
Mobile
App
powered
by
Škoda.

Historical
Ties
to
Cycling

Škoda’s
connection
to
cycling
dates
back
to
its
origins
in
1895
when
Václav
Laurin
and
Václav
Klement
founded
a
bicycle
factory
in
Mladá
Boleslav.
Today,
bicycles
and
accessories
remain
part
of
their
product
range.
The
company
supports
numerous
international
cycling
events
and
sponsors
L’Étape
du
Tour
de
France
in
Czech
Republic.

The
Czech
automaker
also
plays
a
significant
role
in
crafting
crystal
glass
trophies
for
various
classifications
in
the
Tour
de
France.
For
ten
years,
they
have
sponsored
the
green
jersey
for
points
classification
leaders.

Škoda
Auto
aims
to
be
one
of
Europe’s
top
five
best-selling
brands
by
2030
through
its
Next
Level
–
Škoda
Strategy
2030
initiative.
They
plan
to
expand
their
line-up
with
additional
e-models
while
leveraging
growth
markets
like
India
and
North
Africa.

In
2023
alone,
Škoda
delivered
over
866,000
vehicles
globally.
As
part
of
Volkswagen
Group
for
three
decades
now,
they
manufacture
components
like
MEB
battery
systems
used
across
various
Group
brands.

Employing
around
40,000
people
worldwide,
Škoda
operates
in
approximately
100
markets
with
production
facilities
in
China,
Slovakia,
India
among
others
through
partnerships
within
Volkswagen
Group.

Their
commitment
to
innovation
continues
as
they
navigate
new
challenges
while
maintaining
strong
ties
with
traditional
events
like
Tour
de
France
that
highlight
their
historical
roots
in
cycling.

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