On 18 July, the competitors of the 108th Tour de France will reach the finish line on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The winner of the individual classifications of the world-famous cycling race will receive their trophies. This will be the eleventh time in a row that ŠKODA Design has been responsible for designing the trophies made of Czech crystal.
Mladá Boleslav, 14 July 2021 - Peter Olah, Head of Interior Design ŠKODA AUTO explains: “The trophies have become a real hallmark of the Tour de France. This year, we have taken shapes from nature: The motifs are reminiscent of blades of grass or flowers growing up the trophy. They give the trophy a distinctly natural character. Our design addresses issues that are of great importance to society and that we also devote a great deal of attention to in our design.”
The trophies, which are 60 centimetres high and weigh four kilograms, are made of clear green glass and reference the current design language of ŠKODA models with their signature crystalline shapes. Employees of the Czech crystal manufacturer Lasvit bring ŠKODA AUTO’s designs to life and sculpt true works of art. The refraction of light and the interplay with shadow create a fascinating spectacle of intersecting lines. Accurately cutting the crystal requires the skilled glasscutters to have a steady hand and years of experience.
The 108th Tour de France started on 26 June 2021 with the ‘Grand Départ’ in Brest, Brittany. When the peloton arrives at the finish on the Champs-Elysées in Paris on 18 July, the riders will have covered 3,383 kilometres through France and the Principality of Andorra. Over 21 stages, the route covers flat and hilly sections, through mountainous stretches and includes individual trials.
ŠKODA AUTO is the official main and vehicle partner of the world’s biggest cycling event for the 18th time. The Czech car manufacturer is providing around 250 vehicles to the organisation and race management of the Tour de France and is sponsoring the green jersey for the leader in the points classification. The all-electric ŠKODA Enyaq iV is the command vehicle and mobile control centre (‘Red Car’) for the director of the Tour de France, Christian Prudhomme – as it was last year, being substituted on some stages for the ŠKODA Superb iV Plug-in-Hybrid.