THE TOUR DE FRANCE has secured the financial backing of long-term race sponsor LCL for a further five years.
LCL has partnered the Tour since 1981 and has sponsored its iconic yellow jersey, worn by the leading rider on the road, since 1987. Agreeing a five-year extension with race organiser Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO) will see LCL continue to have its brand emblazoned on the yellow jersey for all races until 2017.
LCL’s sponsorship also incorporates other major ASO races such as Paris-Nice, Paris-Roubaix, the Criterium International, the Tour de Picardie and the Criterium du Dauphine.
The French bank is one of four members of the Tour de France Club – the race’s top-tier partners. Carrefour, Skoda and Vittel are the other three.
Members of the Tour de France Club each pay between €3.5m and €5m annually, meaning LCL’s most recent contract extension is likely to take the brand’s investment to around €20m over the next five years.
As well as four top level partners, the Tour de France is supported by ten official partners, each paying between €600,000 and €1m per year, and 14 official suppliers paying between €300,000 and €500,000.
The Tour’s extensive sponsorship network is completed by six official supporters and seven technical partners, each offering a minimal cash or in-kind contribution.