Skoda 2012 bicycles in ‘racing look’

Skoda Auto has unveiled its 2012 cycling sport offering. Skoda cycles and matching sports wear show an exclusive ‘racing’ design for the season. This echoes the appearance of Skoda Motorsport’s successful works team.

The new bicycle range for the year 2012
comprises seven models for a different range of uses and age groups. All bikes are coloured green and white as is typical for the Skoda Motorsport team. The bikes’ appearance also echoes Skoda brand’s new, fresh corporate design. The current 2012 design highlights the brand’s involvement with motorsport which dates back all of 111 years.

The two drivers from the Skoda Motorsport works team, Juho Hanninen and Jan Kopecky, have been named ambassadors for the 2012 Skoda bicycle and accessory range. “Though hardly anyone is aware of this, bicycles are an essential part of our training,” says Jan Kopecky, driver in the Skoda Motorsport works team and IRC vice-champion in 2009, 2010 and 2011. “Before every race, we clock up several hundred kilometres. This is why I really value workmanship, functionality and timeless appearance, and this is what Skoda bicycles and the new functional wear are all about.”

The offering for 2012 includes models based on the ‘Superior’ brand. Street racers will opt for the 8.4 kg Skoda ‘Road’ with an aluminium frame and carbon fork. Off the asphalt, bike fans will be riding the Skoda ‘MTB’ model or even the Skoda ‘MTB Full’ with a full-suspension frame. The Skoda ‘Cross’ is a versatile bike in the 2012 range. All these Skoda models come with a lockable front fork and are available in three sizes.

But Skoda Auto also has the little bikers in mind - the older ones might zoom off on the Skoda ‘MTB-Junior’, which is dimensioned to fit a child but has all the technology of 'adult' bikes. This includes a lockable front fork or a 21-speed transmission. Even smaller children can cycle safely on two wheels with the Skoda ‘Kid‘. An all-new item in the range designed especially for the youngest children is the Skoda ‘Mini’ training bike, which was designed completely afresh in cooperation with Olpran, a bicycle maker.
The 2012 Skoda range also offers functional and comfortable bike wear from Kalas company in Skoda Auto’s exclusive design.

Skoda Auto also supports cycling as a sponsor since many years: Besides international races such as the ‘Tour de France’ and the ‘Giro d’Italia’, the brand also has long been supporting cycling in the Czech Republic. This year, for instance, saw the partnership with the ‘Kolo pro zivot’ being extended, a cycling sports event for all comers. Skoda also is planning a new cycling event to be held in the heart of Prague in late August 2012 to pick up on the success of the ‘Skoda Cycling Challenge 2011’ as it has been until now. Friends of hobby cycling can also compete in a new ‘Virtual Cup’ in 2012. This project without a starting grid is unique in that participants can race on any of the twelve tracks any time. Prizes include a trip to ‘Tour de France 2013’ and selected bicycles from the Skoda range.

Posted in: Bicycle,International,Jan Kopecky,Juho Hanninen,Skoda,Skoda Cycling Challenge 2011,Skoda Motorsport