{"id":1858,"date":"2020-08-31T11:28:34","date_gmt":"2020-08-31T11:28:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/ie\/?p=1858"},"modified":"2020-08-31T11:28:34","modified_gmt":"2020-08-31T11:28:34","slug":"why-are-skoda-cars-the-backbone-of-the-tour-de-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/ie\/2020\/08\/31\/why-are-skoda-cars-the-backbone-of-the-tour-de-france\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Are \u0160koda Cars the Backbone of the Tour de France"},"content":{"rendered":"

Without the support, team and other accompanying cars, the whole Tour experience would be much more perilous, chaotic and disorganized for both the riders and the spectators. Knowing there\u2019s someone looking out for you comes in handy when you face over 3,000 km of tricky routes in the saddle. But how did \u0160koda, a car manufacturer, and their vehicles gain such a prominent position in the world\u2019s most famous cycling race?<\/strong><\/p>\n

As you might have heard before, the \u0160koda success story began with two founding fathers, Mr Laurin and Mr Klement, in a little bicycle workshop on one snowy day in December 1895. Designer bikes led to motorcycles and subsequently to cars we all know today. It\u2019s only natural that \u0160koda eventually became Tour de France\u2019s official partner and official vehicle partner in 2004, providing about 250 vehicles for the official Tour fleet each year that comprises, most notably, of \u0160koda OCTAVIA Combi and \u0160koda SUPERB models. Their history began 125 years ago with a bicycle, and they have never entirely left it out since.<\/p>\n

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The Red SUPERB iV in front of the Caf\u00e9 du Cycliste in Nice.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Moreover, \u0160koda isn\u2019t just the most prevalent brand of cars at the Tour. Known for supporting talent, they also strengthened their commitment to support cycling by sponsoring the \u201csprinter\u2019s\u201d Green Jersey since 2015 and, for a period between 2004 and 2014, also the White Jersey for the best young rider. Besides their involvement at Le Tour, \u0160koda, even though not primarily a bicycle manufacturer, officially supports a wide range of cycling races such as the L\u2019Etape du Tour, Paris-Roubaix, Li\u00e8ge-Bastogne-Li\u00e8ge, La Fl\u00e8che Wallonne, Paris-Nice, Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 and La Vuelta. The last three races mentioned also get their Green Jersey points classifications sponsored by \u0160koda.<\/p>\n

But let\u2019s take a closer look at each distinctive group of cars one can spot at La Grande Boucle. Each group not only has its own unique colours, decals and purpose, but also carries a rich history. A car at a bike race might seem contradictory, but the following paragraphs beg to differ.<\/p>\n

Race Director\u2019s Leading Car<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When you catch a glimpse of \u2018Corrida Red\u2019 on the road, you know that a stage is about to start. The \u0160koda SUPERB with its characteristic cap visor-like attachment above the windscreen and custom Le Tour and \u0160koda decals hosts none other than Christian Prudhomme, A.S.O cycling and Tour\u2019s race director. The car is not only a sight to behold as it leads on the peloton all the way to the Champs \u00c9lys\u00e9es, but its main purpose is to serve as the race\u2019s literal control centre. It\u2019s equipped with a small two-way radio station with four channels, over which Mr Prudhomme can receive information and give orders. The sizeable retractable glass roof isn\u2019t just a show-off feature \u2013 it allows Mr Prudhomme to stand up and have the best view of the peloton before each stage launch so he can inspect and evaluate every detail. And, of course, wave the flag at \u201cKilometre Zero\u201d. All support cars, riders and even fans rely on the Red Car to ensure the spectacle of the Tour to unfold safely, justly and smoothly. A symbiosis indeed.<\/p>\n

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The plug-in hybrid propulsion mixes up a conventional supercharged 1,4 TSI engine delivering the output of 156 horses with an electric engine, which is hiding some extra 115 horses.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n