Skoda Auto marks its 21st consecutive year as the official main partner of the Tour de France. The 111th iteration of the world’s most famous cycling race begins on 29 June with the Grand Départ in Florence, Italy. For the first time, the event will not finish in Paris this year, due to the Olympic Games starting in the French capital just a few days later.
On most stages, the all-electric Skoda Enyaq will be serving Tour director Christian Prudhomme as the ‘Red Car’, leading the peloton throughout the race. The route will take the 176 riders and 205 Skoda support cars across 21 stages and nearly 3,500 kilometres to reach Nice on 21 July. Through the carmaker’s social media channels and the WeLoveCycling website, fans can access exclusive background information and compete for exciting prizes.
In February this year, Skoda Auto underlined its commitment to cycling, extending its partnership with the cycling event’s organiser, A.S.O., until 2028. The Czech carmaker is also supporting the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift for the third consecutive year.
The race director Christiane Prudhomme will lead the peloton in the Red Car equipped with special features such as a panoramic sunroof and state-of-the-art communication technology. This year, the all-electric Enyaq and the brand’s flagship Skoda Superb will serve as his mobile command centre. The official fleet of the Tour comprises 205 Skoda vehicles, which will accompany the peloton of 176 cyclists in 22 teams over the entire 3,492 kilometres across four countries: Italy, San Marino, Monaco, and France. The 21 stages include eight flat sections, four hilly stages, seven mountain stages, and two time trials, passing through the Italian Apennines, the Italian and French Alps, the Massif Central, and the Pyrenees.
Skoda and the Tour de France – a 21-year partnership
Since 2004, Skoda Auto has continuously supported the world’s largest cycling event as the official main and vehicle partner. Additionally, for the 14th time, the Skoda Design Team is responsible for crafting the crystal glass trophies for the overall winner and the leaders of the points, mountain and young rider classifications in the Tour de France. For ten years, the Czech car manufacturer has also sponsored the green jersey for the leader of the points classification.
Chance to win a trip to the Tour de France 2024
On the WeLoveCycling website, fans can take part in contests to win exciting prizes, such as premium bicycles, original signed green jerseys, cycling gear and much more. The grand prize is a Skoda-organised three-day trip to this year’s Tour de France. This incredible experience includes accompanying the peloton in a Skoda car, flying in a helicopter over the route and riding with cycling legend and Tour de France winner Andy Schleck. As part of the ‘What’s Your Tour’ campaign, former British professional racer Cameron Jeffers will provide exclusive background information, atmosphere and interviews directly from the race. Fans can access this content under the #whatsyourtourde hashtag on social media channels. Additionally, through the Tour de France Mobile App powered by Skoda, supporters can follow the live action on the track, receive the latest updates, and enjoy captivating behind-the-scenes stories.
Skoda’s commitment to cycling rooted in the company’s history
The history of the Czech automaker is closely linked to bicycles: In 1895, Václav Laurin and Václav Klement founded a bicycle factory in Mladá Boleslav, and bicycles and cycling accessories have been part of the company’s extended product range for many years. Skoda Auto has recently renewed its partnership with A.S.O. and supports a total of 20 international professional and amateur sports events. Additionally, the carmaker sponsors the Czech stage of the national amateur race L’Étape du Tour de France. Since 2022, Skoda Auto has also supported the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, which this year starts on 12 August in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and concludes after eight stages on 18 August in Alpe d’Huez.
