Škoda Italy returns to share the road with cycling from a privileged position: from 2026 it will be alongside the Italian Cycling Federation as Main Partner. For the Bohemian automaker, this is a true return to its origins. In 1895, in fact, the brand's founders Václav Laurin and Václav Klement began their industrial venture with the desire to build the finest bicycles of the era. Over the years, Škoda Auto has never abandoned its connection with two wheels, remaining alongside some of the world's most important sporting events, including the Tour de France, the Vuelta de España, and recently, the UCI Mountain Bike and Gravel World Championships. It has never stopped designing automobiles with the same innovative approach of its early days, developing a range of models that makes exceptional habitability in relation to size, cutting-edge technology, and surprising Simply Clever solutions a winning and appreciated technical signature. A success that has made Škoda the third best-selling brand in Europe in 2025, with over 1 million cars delivered worldwide.

The Škoda logo will also return to be a protagonist in Italy and will be prominently featured on the racing uniforms of athletes competing in competitions: from road racing to track cycling, to the dirt roads of mountain biking. Škoda Italy will make available to FCI technicians and managers a fleet composed of Octavia Wagon and Karoq, two of the models that best represent the versatility of Škoda automobiles: spacious cabins, exceptional load capacity, and safety even where the asphalt ends.

Andrea Calcagni, Director of Škoda Italy, comments as follows: "I am truly proud to announce this important partnership between Škoda Italy and the Italian Cycling Federation, which is the highest expression of passion for cycling in Italy and involves both professionals on the race course and tens of thousands of registered members who love spending their free time pedaling. For us, this is the first step in our return to a territory that we feel deeply connected to. The sense of community that revolves around this sport has few equals, and the pleasure of sharing one's passion while exploring the territory is the same as that of our customers, whom at Škoda we call Everyday Explorers. I am convinced that Škoda has much to tell those who love cycling, and I am certain that traveling this new road together with the Federation will allow us to make the practicality and technology of our models known to many Italian cycling enthusiasts, while also giving us the opportunity to work together on important shared projects".

Cordiano Dagnoni, President of the Italian Cycling Federation, continues: "The entry of Škoda Italy as Main Partner represents an important signal for our Federation, not only for the concrete support to our activities, but also for the symbolic value of this return. Finding Škoda at our side today means reconnecting with a history we have already written together and sharing the same ambition for the future of Italian cycling. Knowing we can count on a partner that shares values such as reliability, innovation, and long-term vision gives us stability and confidence, supporting daily the technicians, managers, and athletes who represent our country in the world. This return allows us to start again from important pages already written together, such as the world road title won by Alessandro Ballan in 2008, still today the last Italian victory in the elite men's race, and try to write new ones equally significant".