Tour de France, the most awaited cycling event of the year has arrived. Skoda, an automaker, has been sponsoring this mega cycling event for years. This year too, it has announced its partnership with Tour de France. This year will mark the 10th anniversary of Skoda’s alliance with Tour de France. The event will begin on the 29th of June and will continue until 21st July. Skoda’s CEO, Prof. Dr. H.C. Winfried Vahland has said that their long relation with this classic cycling event is an evidence of their love for cycling.
Tour de France, is a mega cycling event where in cyclist have to run a multi stage path to reach the finish line. It started in the year 1903 and has continued since then as an annual event. It came to a halt only during the 2 world wars. At present, the event is handled by Amaury Sport Organization.
Skoda, as it is popularly called, is a Czech company dealing in automobiles. It was started in the year 1859 under the name of Laurin and Klement. Presently, the Brand Skoda is owned by Volkswagen group. Since past 10 years Skoda has been sponsoring this rally and the major responsibility is to provide transport during the event.
Tour de France, this year, will begin in Corscia on the 29th of June. There will be a total of 21 stages, 3 of which will be held on the French Island. The rally will reach its destination after a period of 23 days covering 3,600 km, on the 21st of July. The finish line is in Champs-Elysees. Skoda will support this time with over 250 of its vehicles. Skoda Octavia estate and Superb will be serving as accompanying vehicles this year. Superb will be seen in 2 fascinating facelifted models. The director of Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme, will be using a red Superb. Skoda vehicles along with the publicity caravan will present a great display, 1 to 2 hours before the event, for the spectators.
The CEO has said that, “The fact that Skoda has been sponsoring the Tour de France for ten years, and that we can also celebrate this 100th anniversary is really something very special. Supporting the Tour de France and other cycling events is also an expression of our company’s tradition spanning the past 118 years. The company’s success story began in December 1895 with the production of bicycles by our founding fathers, Laurin and Klement,”
Skoda has always extended great support for the smooth functioning of this mega annual event. So far Skoda vehicles have covered a distance of 25 million km in this rally. It has been reported that not a single vehicle has given any technical problem during the rally in these 9 years and the same is expected this year.
