Tour de France announces new green jersey sponsor

Car manufacturer Skoda replaces PMU as the points classification jersey sponsor, expanding their backing of the three-week Grand Tour

Czech car manufacturer Skoda has been revealed as the new sponsor of the Tour de France green jersey, replacing long-term partner PMU.

The French betting company has been synonymous with the sprinters jersey for almost a quarter of a century but last November revealed it will cease its involvement with the three-week Tour.

Skoda is no stranger to cycling, let alone the Tour de France, having worked as an official partner of the race for the last ten years.

The company is also visible on the British racing scene, with the Tour of Britain’s mountains jersey bearing the Skoda name.

Skoda also backs the Pearl Izumi Tour Series, Women’s Tour and the Prudential Ride London on these shores as it looks to boost its exposure in the sport.

PMU decided to move into sponsoring football, putting its name to the French Cup and backing one of the country’s leading clubs, Paris St Germain.

“The Tour lasts for three weeks a year,” PMU communications director Benoit Cornu said in November. “In 2010 we chose to back football because we needed a higher profile and to modernise PMU.”

>>> Tour de France green jersey overhaul should boost Cavendish chances

Slovak Peter Sagan has won the last three points classification titles at the Tour, with Brit Mark Cavendish becoming the first British winner in 2011.

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.