{"id":184225,"date":"2021-06-28T08:30:27","date_gmt":"2021-06-28T08:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=184225"},"modified":"2022-03-10T09:52:31","modified_gmt":"2022-03-10T09:52:31","slug":"why-skoda-cars-are-integral-to-the-tour-de-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2021\/06\/28\/why-skoda-cars-are-integral-to-the-tour-de-france\/","title":{"rendered":"Why \u0160koda Cars Are Integral to the Tour de France"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you are aware of \u0160koda\u2019s history, you know it has been inseparably tied to cycling since the company\u2019s founding in 1895 as a little bicycle workshop named Laurin & Klement. Today, about 250 vehicles bearing the distinctive winged-arrow logo can be found at the Tour de France front lines. This has been the case since 2004, when the car manufacturer became the race\u2019s official vehicle partner. With each rider facing nearly 3,000 km in the saddle and the immense annual visitor numbers, a strong and agile support structure is essential to the grand race\u2019s success. \u0160koda cars represent a big piece in that organisational puzzle.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The 2021 edition of the Tour<\/a> started on 26th<\/sup> June in Brest in France’s northwest and finishes, of course, at the Champs \u00c9lys\u00e9es in Paris on 18th<\/sup> July. There is a good chance that if you are watching, you are about to witness a piece of road-cycling history, as new records are broken every year. But while the main focus is (justifiably) on the riders, the sheer numbers of support, assistance, team and crew humans and vehicles involved are almost hard to comprehend. The \u0160koda cars, mostly \u0160koda SUPERB models, are manned by some 300 drivers and 60 technicians. Besides providing vehicles, \u0160koda\u2019s cycling support also extends to sponsoring the Tour\u2019s Green Jersey points classifications since 2015.<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s look at the specific roles \u0160koda cars will play in this travelling grand show in 2021 \u2013 as they did multiple years before.<\/p>\n

The race director\u2019s Leading Car<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"\u0160koda<\/a>
\u0160koda ENYAQ iV as the leading car of the Tour de France.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Let\u2019s start from the top of the vehicular Tour de France \u201chierarchy\u201d since the director\u2019s striking red ride is probably the first one you\u2019ll notice as it launches and accompanies each stage. When you see the distinct decals and the cap visor-like yellow attachment above the windscreen anywhere near the starting line, you hold your breath as you watch the panoramic glass roof slide open to allow Mr. Christian Prudhomme<\/a>, the A.S.O. and Tour director, to stand up in his car and wave the white flag at \u201cKilometre Zero\u201d. And then it\u2019s on.<\/p>\n

The velvet-red \u0160koda SUPERB iV<\/a> plug-in hybrid made its debut as the Leading Car last year and will continue to accompany Mr. Prudhomme in 2021 since it proved to be a quiet, efficient and comfortable partner. For certain stages, it will be switching places with the recently introduced \u0160koda ENYAQ iV,<\/a> also bearing the distinctive red paint, as was the case last year. While the cars might resemble typical \u0160kodas on the outside, were you to take off all the add-ons and six antennas, the inside is also extraordinary as both models have been extensively adjusted. First, you notice a control panel located between the front seats, which contains a built-in radio. Mr. Prudhomme sits in the back and uses the radio to connect with his race marshals in three other \u0160koda cars, and to communicate with each individual team car to give orders, advice and, if needed, the permission to break rank. Then, besides other custom-made communication equipment, there\u2019s also a cooler for refreshments and foldable champagne-flute holders so Mr. Prudhomme can treat his VIP guests, such as the French president.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?time_continue=3&v=KwOECbdUsOI&feature=emb_title&ab_channel=WeLoveCycling<\/p>\n

To once again quote Mr. Prudhomme himself: \u201c\u0160koda is an essential partner for the Tour de France as well as for the races that we organise. During the Tour de France, the red number 1 \u0160koda is more than just a car, it is a control tower, an office, and a valued and trusted friend. We are thrilled to extend this cooperation with an efficient, reliable and dynamic partner.\u201d<\/p>\n

If you want to take a peek into the Red SUPERB iV\u2019s unique interior, check out the first-hand exclusive experience<\/a> of one of our writers from last year.<\/p>\n

Neutral support cars<\/strong><\/h2>\n

We\u2019ve all got used to equating assistance with the cheery yellow shade of Mavic cars and it\u2019s no wonder \u2013 they made their Tour debut in 1977 \u2013 but this year will be different. The Japanese component giant Shimano has cut a deal with A.S.O. to take on the noble mantle of neutral support cars. The whole fleet\u2019s colour will switch to electric blue, but the \u0160koda SUPERB iV model will stay.<\/p>\n

\"Shimano<\/a>
The neutral support cars will turn blue this Tour.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

What will not change, though, is the professional approach and readiness to help any struggling rider. The Mavic cars used to carry spare tyres, chains, cranksets, complete bicycles and even accessories like raincoats alongside a fully equipped mobile bicycle workshop and, naturally, a mechanic in the back. There\u2019s no doubt that Shimano will ensure all that and more. As tradition and foresight dictate, one support car always stays near Christian Prudhomme\u2019s Leading Car with three bikes specially adjusted for the top three general-classification contenders, ready to save the day if needed.<\/p>\n

We are sure many will remember the yellow life-savers fondly because they\u2019ve been, throughout the years, indispensable for the success and safety of some big names such as Jens Voigt<\/a> and Rigoberto Ur\u00e1n. Nonetheless, Shimano\u2019s vividly blue fleet will certainly be a worthy successor.<\/p>\n

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\ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\udee0 @shimanoes<\/a>, asistencia neutra en La Vuelta hasta 2024<\/p>\n

\ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7\ud83d\udee0 @ShimanoROAD<\/a>, renews agreement with Unipublic for neutral assistance at La Vuelta until 2024<\/p>\n

— La Vuelta (@lavuelta) April 9, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n