- Christian Prudhomme, General Director Tour de France, and Nikolai Setzer, member of the Executive Board of Continental AG responsible for Corporate Purchasing and head of the Tire division agree sponsorship deal
- Continental to supply tires for all official support cars and motorcycles on the Tour
- Tire manufacturer has a long tradition of developing and manufacturing high-tech tires for the Tour de France and many other cycle races around the world
Hanover / Paris, December 4, 2017. From the beginning of the New Year, Continental is to be an official partner of the Tour de France. The sponsorship agreement was officially confirmed by Christian Prudhomme, General Director Tour de France, and Nikolai Setzer, Member of the Executive Board of Continental AG responsible for Corporate Purchasing and head of the Tire division.
“For Continental becoming an official partner is the logical next step in our commitment to the development and production of high-tech tires for racing bikes – tires that are also used in the Tour de France,” underlined Setzer at the ceremony in Paris. “Through this move we are demonstrating our great tire manufacturing expertise in a unique environment of worldwide significance – a cycle race that not only demands the ultimate in safety but also calls for benchmark standards in terms of rolling resistance and weight.” Last year alone, nine teams competing in the Tour de France ran on Continental tires, including Tour winner Chris Froome.
General Director Tour de France Christian Prudhomme added: “It is an honor to welcome Continental to the Tour de France – a company of international status, with over 145 years of know-how at the top of its sector. It is a great symbol for cycling that Continental wishes to be associated with the world’s biggest bicycle race. The commitment of A.S.O. in terms of safety at bicycle races, combined with Continental's research to develop ever more efficient tires, confirms the values and logic behind this partnership. The tire is the only point of contact between a bike and the road; it is therefore a key element in the practice of this sport.”
From 2018 onward, for an initial five-year period Continental will maintain high visibility around the world’s toughest cycle race. All official support vehicles – cars, vans and motorcycles – at the Tour de France will be equipped with Continental tires.
Continental AG
Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transport. In 2016, Continental generated sales of €40.5 billion and currently employs more than 233,000 people in 56 countries.
Tire Division
The Tire Division currently has 24 production and development locations worldwide. The broad product range and continuous investments in R&D make a major contribution to cost-effective and ecologically efficient mobility. As one of the world's leading tire manufacturers with more than 50,000 employees, the Tire Division achieved sales of €10.7 billion in 2016.
Passenger and Light Truck Tires
Continental is one of the leading manufacturers of passenger and light truck tires in Europe and the world's fourth largest passenger tire manufacturer in the original equipment and replacement market. The product development focus of the Continental premium brand is to optimize all safety-relevant characteristics, while simultaneously minimizing rolling resistance.
www.continental-reifen.de
www.traxagum.com
Bicycle Tires
More than 100 years’ experience in the development and production of bicycle tires has made Continental a unique company within the industry. Continental is the only German bicycle tire manufacturer to produce its tires in Germany. As a global player, Continental also maintains high-tech production facilities outside of Germany. One thing all Continental bicycle tires have in common is that they are developed in the technology center in Korbach, Germany, where they also undergo strict inspection. With revolutionary technologies such as the unbeatable BlackChili compound and the VectranTM breaker, the ultimate in anti-puncture technology, the company is a leading influencer in the international industry.
www.conti-bicycletyres.com