ŚKODA UK has announced an extension to its long-standing partnership with the Tour of Britain and Women’s Tour.
The car manufacturer has long been the backbone of the events owing to a partnership with race organiser SweetSpot that dates back to 2011. This latest three-year extension sees ŠKODA UK continue as the official car partner and mountain jersey sponsor of both races.
‘As part of the Tours’ and ŠKODA’s commitment to sustainability, the fleet of cars supporting the races in 2022 and beyond will include the fully-electric ENYAQ iV and the OCTAVIA iV plug-in hybrid.’
This year’s Tour of Britain features eight stages, running from September 4-11. The Women’s Tour takes in six stages from June 6-11.
The 2022 Tour of Britain will be the eleventh-consecutive edition to feature the ŠKODA King of the Mountains competition. The partnership with the Women’s Tour’s equivalent jersey dates back to 2018, although ŠKODA UK has supported the race as official car partner since its launch in 2014.
ŠKODA’s continued association with the Women’s Tour focuses on its drive to make the sport of cycling as inclusive as possible, regardless of gender. In June 2020, ŠKODA UK sponsored the first-ever V-Women’s Tour, a three-day virtual race that took place in the absence of the physical version owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overseen by British sporting legend Dame Sarah Storey, ŠKODA UK continues to run its ŠKODA DSI Cycling Academy. This is an annual mentorship scheme, offering young female riders between the ages of 18-24 the opportunity to gain insight and experience in the sport of cycling.
Last year, the team competed in the Tour Series, SweetSpot’s domestic UK racing series, before participating in ride-outs with Dame Sarah at both the Tour of Britain and Women’s Tour.
ŠKODA UK Marketing Communications Manager, Jess Charles, said “We are delighted to continue our support of cycling with the sponsorship of the Tour of Britain and the Women’s Tour series this year.
“Once again, we are working alongside race organiser, SweetSpot, to celebrate the best of cycling across the UK. ŠKODA will supply a fleet of cars to support the races including our fully-electric ENYAQ iV and the OCTAVIA iV plug-in hybrid, which driver assistance and safety features make it one of the most cycle-friendly cars on the road.”
Tour of Britain and Women’s Tour Commercial Director Miles Rose said “We are really excited to be continuing our long-term partnership with ŠKODA. They play an integral role at our events, ranging back over 10 years, with their vehicles playing a critical part in assisting with the logistical complexity of cycle races.
“We are delighted that their EV and hybrid range, especially the ENYAQ iV, will play an important part of our fleet in 2022 and beyond.”
www.skoda.co.uk
www.tourofbritain.co.uk
www.womenstour.co.uk
www.sweetspotgroup.co.uk
