The Tour de France is not only a display of top cycling talent but also a showcase of the sponsors behind the teams. These sponsors, which include a mix of big corporations and smaller companies, play a crucial role in the sport. But what do they do on a daily basis outside of cycling? This article explores the everyday business operations of the sponsors at the 2024 Tour de France, revealing what makes these companies tick and how they contribute to the cycling world.
From tech companies changing the digital landscape to manufacturers producing everyday goods, the sponsors of the 2024 Tour de France come from diverse backgrounds. For example, Ineos, a leader in chemicals and energy, spends its days researching and producing essential industrial materials. Meanwhile, UAE Team Emirates is backed by a national airline that manages flights around the world, connecting millions of passengers every day. By understanding the daily operations of these businesses, we can better appreciate their support for cycling and recognise how their everyday efforts contribute to the success and excitement of the Tour de France.
UCI WorldTeams
AlpecinโDeceuninck
Sponsor: Alpecin is a German company specialising in hair care products, particularly those designed to combat hair loss, such as their Caffeine Shampoo. Deceuninck is a Belgian company focused on sustainable building solutions, including window and door systems, known for their energy-efficient and durable profiles.
Key Riders: Jasper Philipsen, Mathieu van der Poel
ArkรฉaโB&B Hotels
Sponsor: Arkรฉa is a French banking group offering a range of financial services, including savings, loans, and insurance products. B&B Hotels is a French-based international hotel chain known for its budget-friendly accommodations, offering comfort and convenience at affordable prices, particularly appealing to travellers and business professionals.
Key Riders: Warren Barguil, Nairo Quintana
Astana Qazaqstan Team
Sponsor: Astana is a brand associated with Kazakhstan’s capital and promotes the country’s image globally. The team is backed by various Kazakhstani companies, particularly in the energy sector, such as KazMunayGas, which is involved in oil and gas exploration and production.
Key Riders: Alexey Lutsenko, Samuele Battistella
BoraโHansgrohe
Sponsor: Bora is a German company producing high-end kitchen appliances, known for their innovative cooktops and extraction systems. Hansgrohe is a renowned German manufacturer of bathroom and kitchen fittings, offering a range of products including showers, taps, and accessories that combine quality and design.
Key Riders: Jai Hindley, Aleksandr Vlasov
Cofidis
Sponsor: Cofidis is a French financial services company specialising in consumer credit solutions, including personal loans, revolving credit, and insurance products, helping individuals manage their finances effectively.
Key Riders: Guillaume Martin, Ion Izagirre
DecathlonโAG2R La Mondiale
Sponsor: Decathlon is a French sporting goods retailer with a global presence, offering a wide range of affordable sports equipment and apparel for various disciplines, from cycling to hiking. AG2R La Mondiale is a French insurance company, primarily focused on personal and health insurance, providing solutions for retirement, health, and savings.
Key Riders: Ben OโConnor, Clรฉment Champoussin
EF EducationโEasyPost
Sponsor: EF Education First is an international education company offering language training, educational travel, and cultural exchange programs, aiming to open the world through education. EasyPost is an American logistics company specialising in shipping APIs, helping businesses streamline their shipping processes with major carriers.
Key Riders: Richard Carapaz, Hugh Carthy
GroupamaโFDJ
Sponsor: Groupama is a French insurance group providing a wide range of services including health, home, auto, and life insurance. FDJ (Franรงaise des Jeux) is the operator of France’s national lottery games, offering popular draws like EuroMillions and various instant win games.
Key Riders: David Gaudu, Thibaut Pinot
Ineos Grenadiers
Sponsor: Ineos is a British multinational chemicals company, producing a wide range of products from synthetic oils to plastics used in everyday items. The Grenadier is a rugged 4×4 vehicle developed by Ineos, designed for durability and performance in challenging terrains.
Key Riders: Egan Bernal, Geraint Thomas
IntermarchรฉโWanty
Sponsor: Intermarchรฉ is a French retail group operating supermarkets and hypermarkets, offering a wide range of groceries, fresh produce, and household goods. Wanty is a Belgian construction company specialising in civil engineering projects, including road construction and building works.
Key Riders: Biniam Girmay, Louis Meintjes
LidlโTrek
Sponsor: Lidl is a German global discount supermarket chain, offering a wide range of products including fresh groceries, household items, and seasonal goods, known for their competitive prices. Trek is an American bicycle and cycling product manufacturer, producing high-quality bikes and accessories used by both professionals and enthusiasts.
Key Riders: Mads Pedersen, Giulio Ciccone
Movistar Team
Sponsor: Movistar is a major Spanish telecommunications brand, part of the Telefรณnica Group, offering mobile, internet, and television services across Spain and Latin America, known for their innovative technology and wide coverage.
Key Riders: Enric Mas, Alejandro Valverde
SoudalโQuick-Step
Sponsor: Soudal is a Belgian manufacturer of sealants, adhesives, and PU foams, providing solutions for construction, industrial, and household applications. Quick-Step is a Belgian company known for its laminate flooring, offering durable and stylish flooring solutions for residential and commercial use.
Key Riders: Remco Evenepoel, Julian Alaphilippe
Team Bahrain Victorious
Sponsor: The team is sponsored by entities from Bahrain, promoting the country’s tourism and investment potential. Bahrain Victorious showcases Bahrain’s commitment to sports and its vision of a thriving, modern nation.
Key Riders: Mikel Landa, Pello Bilbao
Team dsmโfirmenich PostNL
Sponsor: DSM is a Dutch multinational active in health, nutrition, and materials, producing a variety of products including vitamins, food ingredients, and high-performance materials. Firmenich is a Swiss company specialising in fragrance and flavour development, creating scents and tastes for a variety of consumer products. PostNL is the postal service provider in the Netherlands, offering mail, parcel, and e-commerce logistics solutions.
Key Riders: Romain Bardet, Andreas Leknessund
Photo Credit: Luca Bettini/SprintCyclingAgencyTeam JaycoโAlUla
Sponsor: Jayco is an Australian manufacturer of recreational vehicles, producing caravans, motorhomes, and camper trailers known for their quality and innovation. AlUla is a historic region in Saudi Arabia, promoted for its tourism potential with significant archaeological sites and natural beauty.
Key Riders: Simon Yates, Michael Matthews
UAE Team Emirates
Sponsor: Emirates is a Dubai-based airline, part of The Emirates Group, promoting global air travel with a focus on luxury and service excellence, connecting major cities across the world.
Key Riders: Tadej Pogaฤar, Joรฃo Almeida
VismaโLease a Bike
Sponsor: Visma is a Norwegian company providing business software solutions, including accounting, payroll, and HR management systems. Lease a Bike is a European bike leasing company, offering flexible leasing options for businesses and employees to promote sustainable commuting.
Key Riders: Primoลพ Rogliฤ, Jonas Vingegaard
UCI ProTeams
IsraelโPremier Tech
Sponsor: Israel Start-Up Nation promotes Israelโs technological and innovation sectors, showcasing advancements in fields like cybersecurity, medical devices, and agriculture. Premier Tech is a Canadian company specialising in packaging, agriculture, and environmental technologies, known for their innovative solutions in various industrial sectors.
Key Riders: Chris Froome, Michael Woods
LottoโDstny
Sponsor: Lotto is the Belgian national lottery, funding a wide range of public initiatives and sporting events through lottery ticket sales. Dstny is a European provider of cloud-based business communications, offering services like telephony, video conferencing, and unified communications to enhance workplace connectivity.
Key Riders: Caleb Ewan, Thomas De Gendt
Team TotalEnergies
Sponsor: TotalEnergies is a French multinational integrated oil and gas company, involved in every aspect of the energy sector from exploration to production, refining, and marketing of oil and gas, as well as renewable energies.
Key Riders: Peter Sagan, Edvald Boasson Hagen
Uno-X Mobility
Sponsor: Uno-X is a Norwegian company providing fuel and energy solutions, including electric vehicle charging stations, focusing on sustainability and innovation in the energy sector.
Key Riders: Rasmus Tiller, Torstein Trรฆen
