October 25, 2007 (Prague, Czech Republic) – Skoda, the Czech-based automobile manufacturer, agreed yesterday to continue its sponsorship of the Tour de France and other cycling events according to AP. Skoda will sponsor other Amaury Sport Organization (ASO) races, including the Paris-Roubaix through 2011. The financial details were not revealed, but it is known that Skoda provided about 200 support vehicles for the TdF in 2007.

Skoda spokesman, Jaroslav Cerny, declared that Skoda wants to support cycling both in good times and in bad.

“Our continuing involvement in cycling and especially the partnership with the Tour de France is part of our long-term strategy of teaming up with the best and thus enhancing the brand awareness and visibility on one side while demonstrating first-class quality of our products on the other,” said Martin Lauer, Head of Skoda Auto Corporate Communications. “Cycling is a worldwide phenomenon, a sport done by millions of people of all age categories and professions. We want to be where our existing and potential customers are and, at the same time, help support this wonderful sport,” added Lauer.

Skoda has also sponsored the Giro d’Italia since 2006. The company’s website describes its support of cycling and of ice hockey as “one of the pillars of the Company’s sponsorship and communication strategy.”

One of the world’s oldest automakers, in 1991 Skoda became a subsidiary of the Volkswagen Group (VAG). The company’s motto is “simply clever.”

Skoda’s announcement is welcome news amid the doping scandals that have plagued cycling in 2006 and 2007, as other major sponsors, such as Discovery Channel, Gerolsteiner, and Phonak have withdrawn support for their teams or have announced they will do so soon. In addition, major cycling events, such as Montreal-Boston and the Championship of Zürich, have been postponed or cancelled due to a lack of sponsors and funding.