A camouflaged Škoda Elroq, the brand’s latest all-electric model to be unveiled this autumn, joined the final-stage time trial of this year’s 111th edition of the Tour de France to accompany the riders. The overall winner, Tadej Pogačar, received the popular crystal glass trophy created by Škoda Design, and Škoda Auto CEO Klaus Zellmer presented a green crystal trophy to Biniam Girmay, the points classification winner. Škoda Auto has been supporting the Tour for twenty-one years now, and this partnership including providing the official fleet has been extended to last until 2028. The brand is currently a partner of 20 top cycling events, including the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift since 2022.“The final laps are thrilling and make me proud that Škoda Auto is the main partner again to the Tour de France, for the 21st year in a row. I want to congratulate all the athletes who have given their best for almost 3,500 kilometres. We were honoured to be able to support the teams with our fleet, including the Director’s cars, and pleased to be part of the awards ceremonies. Our own cycling heritage makes it even more important that we contribute to inspiring cyclists around the world by supporting the Tour de France and the wider work of the A.S.O., including the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.”
Klaus Zellmer, Škoda Auto CEO
Surprise in the final stage: Camouflaged Škoda Elroq makes its public debut
As a long-standing official main partner, Škoda Auto provided the organising team with 205 Škoda vehicles, including “red cars”, an all-electric Enyaq and a new plug-in-hybrid Superb Combi, that were used by the race director Christian Prudhomme to lead the peloton. Škoda prepared an unexpected surprise for the final stage, a camouflaged Elroq: the brand’s latest all-electric model thus made its public-event debut. With its distinguished looks, this new compact SUV is the first Škoda model to adopt Modern Solid, the brand’s new design language that takes the exterior design of the entire portfolio even further. The car that joined the racers in the final stage was camouflaged, as its official premiere will not take place until this autumn. So far, only a few journalists have been given a chance to see and test the new model during the first media test drives.
Škoda Auto and the Tour de France – a 21-year partnership
Škoda Auto has been supporting the world’s biggest cycling event as the official main partner and car supplier since 2004. In addition, the Škoda Design department has been responsible for producing crystal trophies for the overall winner, the winners of the points and mountains classifications and the best young rider for 14 years. The unique hand-made trophy is 60 cm tall and weighs 5 kg. In addition, Škoda Auto has been sponsoring the green jersey for the points classification winner for ten years.
Top cycling under Škoda’s patronage
Having extended its cooperation with A.S.O. this year, Škoda Auto is currently a partner of a total of 20 international professional and amateur sports competitions. Among other events, the brand sponsors L’Étape by Tour de France, a race for amateurs, and since 2022 also the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, a women’s race whose 2024 edition is scheduled to start on 12 August in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and finish on 18 August in Alpe d’Huez.
Article source: www.skoda-storyboard.com