The COCC St Tropez to Monaco Charity Cycle Ride 2018

The 2018 COCC St Tropez to Monaco charity ride will be held on Sunday May 6th and all funds raised go to the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. There’s still time for you to contribute and numerous sponsorship opportunities are available for this wonderful cause.

What is the COCC charity ride?

Now in its 7th 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 with live music for upwards of 200 people at Slammers Bar and a lunch the following day at Anjuna Beach, Eze.

High Profile Participants

COCC is delighted to confirm the participation of a number of high profile riders in this year’s St Tropez to Monaco charity ride, to be held on Sunday, May 6th. Leading the pack is HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and other familiar faces include former Formula F1 drivers and pro cyclists. 

HSH Albert II Sovereign Prince of Monaco: the keen sportsman has been an ardent supporter of the charity ride since the first event in 2012 and an active participant in all but one ride.

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.

Eddie Jordan: Popular Irish personality and former F1 team owner. His band, Eddie & The Robbers, will also perform at the after party at Slammers Bar, Monaco.

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.

Rick Delaney: Irish businessman and Monaco resident Rick is a keen cyclist and current owner Aqua Blue Sport pro cycling team.

The COCC ride organisers expressed their gratitude for this high-profile support: ''It always amazes us the great reception we get from the world of sport in supporting our ride every year. The community of F1 drivers and Pro cyclists, in particular, who live in the Principality always find time in their busy schedules to support the COCC and help us raise awareness for the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. Many thanks to you all.''

Eddie Jordan and friends cool off with a Guinness. 

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. Funds from 2017 were used towards a first aid and CPR training complex in Loumbila, Burkina Faso and funds raised this year will go towards the same project.

Place your business in front of more than 100 influential Monaco and French Riviera personalities. Two-times F1 World Champion driver Mika Hakkinen, and COCC charity ride stalwart, sums it up when he describes the ride as: “Putting Monaco people together, having fun and raising money.” View the video here.

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 either pre-ride in St Tropez on May 5th, or post-ride at Slammers Bar or Anjuna Beach on May 7th

Of course, 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?

Join a list of confirmed 2018 sponsors that includes McLaren, Metabolic Balance, Sunseeker, Princess Charlene de Monaco Foundation, Scott Group, Anjuna Beach Eze, Boutsen Aviation, Balkin Estates, Starbucks Monaco, AmberLounge, SAS Managed IT Services, Stars’N’Bars, Cycles Camellini, Beton 57 Real Estate Investments, Brash, MonacoLife.net, Salon Esthetique Privé by Lyon Skin Care, Wood & Company, Slammers Bar Monaco, ICREW Events, Le Zinc, City Loc, Riviera Radio, Redeye Events, #1, Far East Commodities, Temple Project, Relevance Web Marketing and St Tropez House.

What is COCC?

The Champagne and Oysters Cycling Club (COCC) started in 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. Last year’s ride saw more than one hundred people sign up for the charity ride.

To find out more visit our website or email Monaco.Assistant@mclarengroup.com.

Photo credit: Copyright Ed Wright, courtesy of COCC