Skoda Auto renews Tour de France sponsorship

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Prague, Oct 24: Czech car maker Skoda Auto has agreed to continue its sponsorship of the Tour de France, cycling's most prestigious race, for another four years, the company said today.

A string of doping scandals have tarnished the Tour's image and led many cycling sponsors to consider withdrawing their support for the sport.

Skoda said in a statement it has extended its partnership with the Tour's organisers for 2008-2011.

''Cycling is a worldwide phenomenon ... We want to be where our existing and potential customers are and, at the same time, help support this wonderful sport,'' Martin Lauer, head of corporate communications, said in a statement.

The Czech unit of Europe's biggest carmaker, Volkswagen, started sponsoring the Tour in 2004 and has been one of its four main sponsors.

Reuters>