The Champagne and Oyster Cycle Club’s (COCC) highly anticipated 140km St-Tropez to Monaco charity bike ride will take place this year on Sunday, May 6.

This seventh edition, which departs from the port of St-Trop’ at 8 am, caresses the red rock Massif de l’Esterel, passes in front of the Palais de Festival in Cannes and along the Coast to finish in Monaco at 5 pm – with a few rehydration points along the way, including Ma Nolan’s pub in Nice – will as usual support the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, to help in the development and growth of the awareness program on water safety and the risks of drowning and to help children to swim.

Over the past six years, some 600 riders of the COCC of Monaco, including Prince Albert, have taken part in this annual St Tropez to Monaco charity ride and raised over €600,000. Monies raised in 2017 were donated to a first aid and CPR training complex in Loumbila, Burkina Faso, a joint project with the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, the Monaco Red Cross and the Burkinabe Red Cross.

The “cycling event of the season” is organised by McLaren Property Services, who also provide the must-have kit for riders – bike shorts, jersey and windbreaker – with every inch of material adorned with logos of the Who’s Who of Monaco sponsors, and recognised respectfully by cycling enthusiasts in the region.

But the COCC ride isn’t just about the 140 km distance from St Tropez to Monaco. It’s about the time in between, pulling together as a community (despite the rather suggestive club name, there are women participating) through sport for a good cause, and having a blast along the way, from the “COCCtail” hosted by sponsor John Taylor Luxury Real Estate, and halfway-point brunch, to the post-ride oyster reception at Stars’n’Bars and the street party at Slammers.

A better way to brand your business, and for a cause that unites the heart of Monaco, would be hard to find and anyone interested in sponsorship should contact Damian Crean: Damian@mclarengroup.com.

Donations to the 2018 St-Tropez to Monaco charity bike ride, in support of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, can be made online here.

Article first published January 29, 2018.

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Monaco cyclists ride 140km from St-Tropez Sunday to support Princess’ Foundation