- New partnership: Škoda Auto has signed a two-year partnership deal with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) – the worldwide governing body for cycling – covering the UCI World Championships for mountain bike and gravel
- International popularity: The UCI World Championships for these two disciplines attract a cumulated TV audience of over 25 million annually and will take place in Switzerland and the Netherlands this year
- Strategic importance: The collaboration enhances brand visibility, supporting Škoda’s goal to be the leading brand for customers who value adventure, versatility, and an active lifestyle
- Close connection to cycling: Škoda’s origins date back 130 years to the production of bicycles; the brand has a long history of sponsoring major global cycling events
Mladá Boleslav, 15 May 2025 – For the next two seasons, Škoda Auto will serve as an Official Partner to the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships and the UCI Gravel World Championships, both organised by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). These two high-profile events feature a variety of formats for both men and women. Mountain bike has a long-standing tradition, a large fan base, and Olympic status, while gravel – raced on mixed surfaces including gravel roads – has surged in popularity in recent years. Tens of thousands of spectators attend the events in person, with more than 25 million people tuning in via broadcast across the two events. This year’s UCI Mountain Bike World Championships will take place in Valais, Switzerland, in late August and early September. The UCI Gravel World Championships are scheduled for October 2025 in the South Limburg region of the Netherlands. At the UCI Championship venues, Škoda will offer dedicated areas for visitors and fans, showcasing a selection of electrified models including all-electric vehicles (BEV) and plug-in hybrids (PHEV).
Martin Jahn, Škoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing, explains: “At Škoda Auto, cycling has been part of our DNA ever since our founders Václav Laurin and Václav Klement established the company 130 years ago. We have supported professional cycling for over 20 years, and we are proud to expand our involvement with the UCI to include their Elite mountain bike and gravel competitions. Our aim is to bring our brand closer to cycling and outdoor enthusiasts – people who, like our customers, love everyday exploration. This exciting new partnership reflects our commitment to sustainability, but above all, it supports one of our core values: being human. Ultimately, UCI competitions are about people – professional cyclists – achieving extraordinary things.”
A diverse UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Switzerland
The 2025 UCI Mountain Bike World Championships will take place from 30 August to 14 September in the Swiss canton of Valais. This landmark event will bring together almost all mountain bike formats in a single two-week competition. The programme includes Olympic cross-country, team relay, cross-country short track, mountain bike marathon, E-MTB cross-country, downhill, enduro, E-enduro, and pump track events. In total, 27 UCI World Champion titles will be awarded.
UCI Gravel World Championships in the Netherlands
Gravel – a discipline centered around bikes specifically designed for mixed surfaces like gravel roads, dirt trails, and pavement– has grown rapidly in popularity in recent years. The renewed interest in these lightweight, fast bikes has drawn in both amateur and professional riders, leading to the creation of a dedicated UCI World Championships. This year’s race will take place in the South Limburg region of the Netherlands.
Škoda Auto – a long-standing partner of cycling
This year, the Czech carmaker is celebrating 130 years since its founding. Škoda’s origins date back to 1895, when Václav Laurin and Václav Klement began producing bicycles in Mladá Boleslav. In modern times, Škoda Auto has been a key supporter of professional cycling for over two decades. Last year, the brand extended its partnership with A.S.O. – the organiser of elite races including the Tour de France – until 2028. Škoda also supports the women’s Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, as well as other prestigious races such as La Vuelta Ciclista a España and La Flèche Wallonne. Bicycles and related accessories have long been part of Škoda Auto’s extended product offerin