The 2019 Champagne and Oysters Cycling Club (COCC) St Tropez to Monaco charity ride will take place on Sunday 28 April and all funds raised will go to the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation

Jersey sponsorship is closed but there’s still time to make a donation. In addition, sponsorship opportunities are available in St Tropez on Saturday 27 April and outside Stars‘N’Bars and Slammers in Monaco on Sunday 28 April.

What is the COCC charity ride?

Now in its eighth year, the COCC charity cycle has become a fixture on the Monaco calendar. Each spring, more than 100 cyclists take part in the 140km coastal ride from St Tropez to Monaco. Participants have included HSH Prince Albert II, F1 Formula One drivers and professional cyclists. After reaching the finish line at Stars’N’Bars, celebrations continue into the evening with a street party and live music for upwards of 200 people at Slammers Bar and a celebratory lunch the following day at Anjuna Beach, Èze.

Why sponsor the COCC charity ride?

Support a worthwhile cause: since the first ride in 2012, more than €600,000 has been raised for charity. All proceeds from the ride are donated to the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation whose mission is to increase awareness of water safety and the risks of drowning. As in 2017 and 2018, funds raised will be used to support a first aid and CPR training complex in Loumbila, Burkina Faso.

Place your business in front of more than 100 influential Monaco and French Riviera personalities. Two-times F1 World Champion driver Mika Hakkinen, a COCC charity ride stalwart, describes the ride as: “Putting Monaco people together, having fun and raising money.” All sponsor logos appear on the COCC website.

How can I or my business contribute?

Although kit sponsorship has now been fully allocated, custom sponsorship opportunities exist and race organisers are happy to consider all potential collaborations.

Suggestions include, but are not limited to:

– A pop-up food and drink stand serving refreshments and snacks along the course
– A pop-up massage stand along the course
– The potential to have your promotional material featured at the finish line at Stars’N’Bars through banners, stands and screen displays
– Other custom opportunities are possible during the post-ride at Slammers Bar or Anjuna Beach on 28 April.

A simple donation can be made on the COCC website.

As the ride organisers and founding members of the COCC have said: “Without the support of our sponsors, the ride would not be able to go ahead.”

Other sponsors?

Some of the sponsors confirmed for the 2019 event include: Balkin Estates, Scott Group, Zinc, McLaren, Metabolic Balance, Anjuna, Stars’N’Bars, Starbucks, Far East Commodities, Brash, Number 1, Lyon Skin Care, Béton 57, St Tropez House, IYC, Pitstop Monaco, Accord Son Lumière, Relevance, Amber Lounge, Boutsen Aviation, Slammers, Riviera Radio, Cayman Isles Government, Geetech, SAS.

High-profile riders

Mika Häkkinen: Finnish former F1 driver and Monaco resident Mika won the Formula 1 world championship in 1998 and 1999 for McLaren.

Thierry Boutsen: Belgian former F1 driver and prominent Monaco businessman. Boutsen Aviation, his business aviation brokerage, was founded in 1997 and is also a sponsor of the ride.

Thor Hushovd: Norwegian former pro cyclist and winner of the 2010 UCI Road World Championship. He was the first Norwegian to lead the Tour de France.

David Tanner: Australian former pro cyclist who competed at the highest level globally, including the UCI World Tour.

Calvin Watson: Australian former pro cyclist, active between 2010 and 2018. He notably won the Herald Sun Tour 2013.

What is COCC?

The COCC started in 2011, when seven friends decided to ride from Monaco to St Tropez in aid of charity. By the following year His Serene Highness Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco had joined the training rides and the starting and finishing line had been reversed. Nearly 100 people have already signed up for this year’s ride.

What next?

To find out more visit the website or email Monaco.Assistant[at]mclarengroup.com

All photos courtesy COCC