Full of news. The 16th edition of the Czech Tour cycling stage race will take place from 25-28 July 2024. The most prestigious domestic race will visit new cities this year and organisers are currently registering a record seven teams from the top WorldTour category, including the newly confirmed Ineos Grenadiers. And, for the first time, it will be possible to watch each of the four stages live on television. Czech champion Mathias Vacek is also expected to make an appearance.
"The Czech Tour is growing every year and is becoming a showcase not only for Czech and world cycling, but also for the Czech Republic as a whole. More and more teams from the most prestigious WorldTour category are interested in competing on challenging courses in the attractive scenery that our country offers - last year three teams came, this year we have already confirmed the whole seven. That's why we're constantly pushing ourselves and thinking of ways to make the race even better. And I believe that the course of this year's edition with its many innovations will only confirm this," says race director Leopold König.
The fact that the international reputation of the Czech Tour is growing is confirmed by the interest of the WorldTour teams led by hegemon Visma-Lease and Bike. However, the UAE Emirates team will not be missing either, with Tadej Pogačar at the centre of the team. Furthermore, the elite will be represented by the cyclists of Intermarché-Wanty, DSM-Firmenich PostNL, Bahrain Victorious and Bora-hansgrohe, which will be defending last year's victory in July, which was won by Florian Lipowitz in its colours. And the latest addition to the list so far is Team Ineos!
In addition to the elite, teams from lower categories, which are traditionally not missing Grand Tours events however, are also preparing for the start. Uno-X Mobility or the development team of Lidl-Trek with the Czech champion Mathias Vacek are all in the mix. Czech pro teams Elkov-Kasper and ATT Investments are also planning to send their handcuffs. TDT - Unibet Cycling Team, which has Czechs Adam Ťoupalík and Tomáš Kopecký on its roster, is also going to the Czech Republic.
"Last year we announced as a general partner that we want to make the Czech Tour one of the best cycling races in Europe and one of the biggest sporting events in the Czech Republic within a few years. We are pleased that this year's edition confirms that we are on the right track," says Petr Jonák, Sazka's Director of External Relations and Sustainability, adding: "We will also incorporate much more sustainability into this year's edition, whether in the form of podiums for winners or our unique modular furniture, which are made from scratch-off Sazka lottery tickets that we give a second life by upcycling."
Hard climbs and finish on the cobbles
The ceremonial start will be provided by a presentation of all participants on the eve of the first stage on 24 July in Olomouc. A day later, after a spectacular parade, the battle for seconds will be fought out in earnest. The first day of the race will start on 25 July in Prostějov and after more than 150 kilometres and nearly 1,500 metres ascent the peloton will be welcomed by the finish gate in Ostrava.
The very second stage will be a test of form and teamwork of all participants: the peloton will set off from Zlín for the first time ever and when it crosses the tape at the Pustevny in Beskydy Mountains after 170 km, the riders will have almost 3,500 metres of altitude in their legs. In the third act, the riders will then set off on a 135 km long pilgrimage from Moravská Třebová towards the famous brutal climb to the reservoir of the Dlouhé stráně pumping station. And the grand finale promises to be the fourth stage from Šumperk to Šternberk, where the competitors will be tested by classic cobbles.
In total, almost 600 kilometres and a cumulative elevation gain of 9,000 metres await the competitors in four days. "We are extremely proud that the Czech Tour route will be presented for the first time in completely new places. A huge thank to all the towns and regions we are passing through. Only with their support we can ensure an attractive spectacle for the spectators and a safe environment for both competitors and fans," adds Leopold König.
Rich programme on site, stages live on TV
For the fans, the organisers are once again preparing a rich supporting programme in the start and finish cities. Before the start of each stage, there will be a team presentation ceremony, giving spectators the chance to see the heroes of the race up close. At the finish line, fans can look forward to a daily music production alongside activities for the whole family. "The accompanying programme will be similar to that of the Grand Tour races," notes Leopold König.
For the first time in the history of the Czech Tour, the action on the roads in the Beskydy and Jeseníky Mountains will be broadcast live on TV. "The live broadcast of the last 90 minutes of each stage is another important milestone in the history of the race," says Leopold König. The coverage will be broadcast by the Czech Television's channel CT2.
Before the start of the Czech Tour, however, Czech cycling fans can look forward to an appetizer in the form of the U23 Peace Race. The eleventh edition of the battle of national teams full of young world cycling hopefuls will take place on tracks in the Olomouc and Moravian-Silesian regions from 30 May to 2 June. The race director is also Leopold König.
CZECH TOUR 2024 programme
- Stage 1 - 25 July: Prostějov - Ostrava (151.2 km / 1 422 m)
- Stage 2 - 26 July: Zlín - Pustevny (170.1 km / 3 462 m)
- Stage 3 - 27 July: Moravská Třebová - Dlouhé Stráně (134.7 km / 2 206 m)
- Stage 4 - 28 July: Šumperk - Šternberk (131.9 km / 1 953 m)
Confirmed teams for the CZECH TOUR 2024
WorldTour category
- Bahrain Victorious
- Bora-hansgrohe
- DSM-Firmenich PostNL
- Ineos Grenadiers
- Intermarché-Wanty
- UAE Team Emirates
- Visma-Lease a Bike
Pro category
- Bingoal WB
- Corratec Selle Italia
- Flanders-Baloise
- Polti-Cometa
- Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team
- TDT - Unibet Cycling Team
- Tudor Pro Cycling
- Uno-X Mobility
Continental category
- ATT Investments
- Elkov-Kasper
- Lidl-Trek Future Racing
Partners of the Czech Tour
- General partner: Sazka
- Main partners: National Sports Agency, ČEZ Group, MND
- Partner of activities for children and youth: Pražská plynárenská
- Partners: BMW CarTec Group, Magnesia, ledmultimedia
- Media partners: Frekvence 1, Livesport, Seznam
- Supported by: the Moravian-Silesian Region, the Olomouc Region, the Zlín Region, the Pardubice Region, Prostějov, Ostrava, Zlín, Moravská Třebová, Olomouc, the Czech Cycling Union, the Czech Forestry Association, RESPECT group
- Official suppliers: Nespresso Professional, ACE, Mcard, Radioking, Šafář & Partners, PRIM Czech Made
Foto: Markéta Navrátilová, Jan Brychta
