Tour de France

Continental sponsors the Tour de France - the biggest cycling race in the world - taking place in France annually since 1903. The international platform showcases Continental tyres in a high-performance environment at the yearly pinnacle of cycling racing. Several participating World Tour teams in the race trust in the hand-made Continental bicycle tires from Korbach, Germany. Continental also equips the official vehicles with special branded PremiumContact 6 car tyres. These car tires are designed at the company's headquarters in Hanover, Germany and produced in Sarreguemines, France. At the beginning of the cycling season the car tires are fitted at the official garage of the Tour de France in Evry near Paris. During the race the car tyres face challenging conditions such as sudden weather changes, various road surfaces as well as steep mountain ascents and descents. The car tyres provide the official drivers the confidence to focus on delivering a safe tour while being cheered on by millions of passionate cycling fans along the route creating an incredible atmosphere.

As a main partner and stage winner presenter Continental awards every Tour de France stage winner with an individual medal on the podium for his special achievement – as many pro cyclists have highlighted over the years: a life-changing moment never to be forgotten in their career.

The Tour de France route is different every year. But often iconic mountains such as Alp d’Huez, Tourmalet, Mont Ventoux or Galibier feature in the race. Most certainly the cyclists pass through parts of the Alps and Pyrenees at some point and finish with a grand final on the famous Champs-Elysees in Paris. The Tour de France does not start in France every year: the so called “Grand Depart” took place in Brussels in 2019 and will take place in the Danish capital Copenhagen on the first of July in 2022.

The first three stages of the 109th edition will be held in Denmark, making it the tenth country to host the Tour de France. The race starts with a 13km individual time trial in the Danish capital Copenhagen, one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. Two more flat stages take place in Denmark before heading to France.

At the Tour de France Continental also supports the Young Cadets initiative with bicycle tires and cycling gear where on each stage eight local riders get to feel like a pro for a day by cycling the first and last 30 kilometres of the stage just hours before the peloton.

This map shows the route of the 2022 edition of the Tour de France

Tour de France - Life of the tire

“We are delighted to play a major part in the biggest cycling race in the world. Being the stage winning partner of the Tour de France fits perfectly to our core value of ‘passion to win’. We are very much looking forward to contributing to the race with our wide range of high-performance tires.”

Christian Kötz, Board member and Head of Tire Division