Alongside the racing, the Tour de France is changing lives in Africa

In the release, the CEO of ASO, Yann Le Moenner, expressed significant passion for this project: “Commitment to promoting cycling in all its forms is a constant priority for the Tour. Some of our initiatives generate benefits of various kinds, in the medium and long term. These clearly include improved health and a reduced carbon footprint. The partnership with Qhubeka highlights another virtue, by fostering educational and then social inclusion for young South Africans through the bicycle. Paving the way to the future by bicycle - that is what drives us.” 

This relationship is in fact entering its eight year with the men’s race, and fifth year with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. 

With all the excitement of new bikes, new kit, new riders around Le Grand Boucle itself, it is vital to also understand the global reach and significant influence that the Tour de France has. It transcends ‘just a bike race’ and will be watched by tens of millions worldwide. The impact their support has on the awareness of Qhubeka is profound.

If you are not aware of Qhubeka currently, it is a social mobility charity which manufactures and distributes new, rugged, African-designed and built single-speed bicycles to schoolchildren in the poorest areas of South Africa. 

Each year, ASO make a significant donation to fund brand new Qhubeka bicycles to schoolchildren in some of the poorest communities in South Africa. In fact, they fund one bicycle for every rider taking part in the race.

On signing of the new agreement, Qhubeka’s founder Anthony Fitzhenry said, 

“We are thrilled to continue our relationship with the men’s and women’s editions of the Tour de France. This relationship has put thousands of schoolchildren on bicycles, giving them the ability to attend school promptly and regularly, moving them forward with their education, and subsequently into higher education, or gainful employment. We continue to see incredible improvements in attendance and grades in the schools supported by the Tour de France, proving that the bicycle really can change lives.”

By getting a new Qhubeka bicycle, the children’s usual two/three hour walk to school becomes thirty minutes. They arrive more energised, on time, and Qhubeka’s in-depth data shows that many more go on to pass their exams, and importantly many with better grades. This gives them a route to better employment, or into higher education.

ASO promotes its support of the charity on social media throughout the race, with a major focus being ‘Qhubeka Day’ on 18 July, where Stage 14 will be dedicated to the charity. In recent years, prominent African cyclists have agreed to take on riding the stage that day itself, on the single speed Qhubeka bicycle. 

Last year, ex-World Tour Team Dimension Data professional rider Adrien Niyonshuti (Rwanda) took on the challenge of Stage 13, the 10.9km ITT from Loudenvielle to Peyragudes, with a 16% final 400 metre section. 

When quizzed by journalists at the summit, Adrien simply told them that he had seen firsthand the positive effects of a Qhubeka distribution on children in poor areas, and riding the bicycle up the hill was the least he could do. He was cheered on by the huge crowds on the route, with Fitzhenry giving support from the Qhubeka promotional car. 

At the finish, Niyonshuti celebrated with his old team-mate Sir Mark Cavendish who is now a Tour de France ambassador and who also witnessed Qhubeka’s work alongside Niyonshuti when they rode together on the Dimension Data team back in 2016 and 2017.

To date, this partnership has changed the lives of well over two thousand children. 

This year, the focus is very much on the Qhubeka bicycle. Fitzhenry will present a new bicycle model – which is in final testing stages and will be launched later this summer. Fitzhenry is confident that this will be the best bicycle in the world for its purpose, designed by Africans, with tough African conditions in mind, and will be highly durable, long-lasting, and almost maintenance-free.

In addition, a new film to promote the work of Qhubeka will be premiered on that day at the race and on social media. You can view the most recent version of this film below.

This is a key activation for the charity, and they maintain a high-profile presence at the race, with an iconic yellow car (supplied by race sponsor Skoda) present at several stages, promoting the charity, and showing their unique bicycle to the many fans at the race. 

If do you come across them at the race, for a small donation they can give you one of their famous Qhubeka bracelets, worn by commentators like Anthony McCrossan, Nicholas Roche, Matt Stephens and many others!

For our UK-based readers, on 11 July, the Via Atelier cycling hub in Central London will be hosting a Tour de France ‘watch-party’ to raise funds for Qhubeka. Keep an eye on Qhubeka’s social media for more information on all their Tour de France related activities.

To find out more about Qhubeka, or to make a donation during the Tour de France, click here.