As part of the 109th edition of the Tour de France, national coach Toni Söderholm and captain Moritz Müller accepted ŠKODA AUTO Germany's invitation to ŠKODA active training. The long-standing premium partner of the Deutscher Eishockey-Bund e. V (DEB) took part in the Tour de France for the 19th time in a row as an official sponsor and vehicle partner. “It fills us with great pride that we were able to count the coach and captain of the German national ice hockey team among the active participants in our Tour de France program,” says Uwe Ungeheuer, Head of Marketing ŠKODA AUTO Germany. The two former cyclists Ronny Scholz and Christian Henn were also active participants.
In order to prepare for the upcoming active training, all participants completed the first kilometers together with the two former professional cyclists after their arrival on Thursday. It wasn't just the legs that were loosened. At the same time, everyone philosophized extensively with Uwe Ungeheuer and Jochen Tauber from ŠKODA AUTO Germany about e-mobility, vehicle development and, above all, the new ŠKODA models. “The intensive exchange among each other was very enriching for all participants,” explains Jochen Tauber, Live Marketing ŠKODA Auto Germany, the illustrious exchange among each other.
With the 19th stage from Castelnau-Magnoac to Cahors, the Tour de France racing bike professionals had to cover around 188,5 kilometers on Friday afternoon. In front of the racing bike professionals, the 20 participants in the active training started their stage, led by an official Tour de France lead vehicle, a ŠKODA ENYAQ COUPÉ iV. The last 80 kilometers of the official route to Cahors were driven. When they reached the finish, Toni Söderholm and Moritz Müller were given deeper insights into the racing events of the 19th stage by sports show commentator Fabian Wegmann, which was ultimately won by French professional cyclist Christophe Laporte.
Being able to experience the Tour de France up close with the ŠKODA active training was a special experience for Toni Söderholm: “Last year, the active training had to be canceled at short notice due to the pandemic. I was very pleased to be invited again this year. Additionally, being able to experience another sport together with Moritz Müller away from the ice rink, which we both have a lot of sympathy for, is a great feeling. It was a very successful event all around. The entire group was very interesting and the conversations were enriching.”