Škoda, a long-standing partner of the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, is celebrating 20 years of presence on the Tour, and 10 years of sponsorship of the green jersey that rewards the best sprinter in the Tour de France. Building on this, Škoda its continuing its commitment with Le Tour through 2028.
In total, Škoda is supporting event organiser A.S.O. on 19 international cycling races and three cyclo-sportives. The Czech carmaker sees its future in cycling as an opportunity to promote both women’s and men’s cycling, as well as ‘providing solutions for carbon footprint reduction’.
Beyond the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, Škoda has a wider involvement in cycling by committing to the Spanish races La Vuelta and La Vuelta Femenina by Carrefour.es, as well as in Germany with Eschborn-Frankfurt and the Deutschland Tour.
Skoda became involved in the Tour de France in 2004. It was then that the red Škoda Superb car appeared in the peloton and the name of the manufacturer became associated with the prize for the best young rider, the white jersey. In 2015, Škoda shifted its sponsorship to the green jersey for the sprint points classification.
The partnership involves sponsoring the green jersey on the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, but also La Vuelta and La Vuelta Femenina by Carrefour.es. It also provides overall support for all A.S.O.’s women’s races, namely Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift, La Flèche Wallonne Femmes and Liège-Bastogne-Liège Femmes.
Looking ahead to 2028 there is an aim to develop new carbon footprint reduction plans. Already, the event organiser’s entire fleet of light vehicles is made up of cars with hybrid engines and three fully electric Škoda Enyaq iV cars will be joining the fleet for several stages.
Yann Le Moënner, CEO of A.S.O., said “I am very proud of Škoda’s commitment to us in several ways: in addition to its involvement in promoting both men’s and women’s cycling throughout the world, Škoda is a major player in the ecological transition of our races thanks to the alternatively powered vehicles that the brand is making more widespread on all the events.
“Its digital activations based on ‘we love cycling’ or official mobile applications for our races also contribute to increasing the fans’ involvement and promoting the discipline to young people. This partnership is the perfect expression of our shared commitment to developing cycling in all its forms, both in France and abroad.”
Christian Prudhomme, Tour de France director, added “I am delighted to see that the future of the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will take place with Škoda. Since 2004, Škoda’s commitment has never wavered.
“First with the White Jersey and then with the Green Jersey, Škoda has seen its brand share top billing with prestigious names such as Alberto Contador, Andy Schleck, Thibaut Pinot, Peter Sagan, Mark Cavendish, Jasper Philipsen or Lotte Kopecky. Škoda’s adventure is unquestionably linked to the history of the Tour de France and its elite women and men riders.”
Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Škoda Auto, said “Supporting the cycling mission of the world’s preeminent race organiser A.S.O. is an honour and privilege for us at Škoda Auto. After all, we started as a bicycle company almost 130 years ago, and cycling today is a passion for many of the everyday explorers who are our customers.
“We have been the main partner and car supplier of the Tour de France for the past 20 years, so it is only logical to now extend our relationship and support a growing portfolio of events – for men and women, professionals and amateurs. We want to help A.S.O. and the cycling community inspire people to pursue their highest personal standards of individual performance, teamwork and fairness.”
Races supported by Škoda include:
- Paris-Nice (March, 3-10)
- Volta Ciclista a Catalunya (March, 18-24)
- Itzulia Basque Country (April 1-6)
- Paris-Roubaix Femmes avec Zwift (April 6)
- Paris-Roubaix (April 7)
- La Flèche Wallonne men and women (April 17)
- Liège-Bastogne-Liège men and women (April 21)
- Eschborn-Frankfurt and Škoda Velotour (May 1)
- La Vuelta Femenina by Carrefour.es (May 1-7)
- Tro Bro Leon (May 5)
- Critérium du Dauphiné (June 2-9)
- Tour de France (June 29 – July 21)
- L’Etape du Tour de France (July 7)
- Donostia Klasikoa – Classica San Sebastian (August 10)
- Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (August 12-18)
- Deutschland Tour and Cycling Tour (August 21-25)
- La Vuelta (August 17 – September 8)
- Paris-Tours (October 6)
