Key points:
- Krys and the Tour de France renew their partnership for three years. As a major partner of the Tour for the eighth consecutive year, Krys has become an optical and hearing partner of the event for the first year.
- This new commitment is an opportunity for Krys to renew its awareness-raising and screening activities for the general public in France, thanks to its "Sight and Hearing Bus".
- Krys continues its steadfast support for the young generation and is launching "L’étape en blanc" on 6 July 2021.
Le Tour is pleased and proud to announce the renewal for three more years of Krys’ commitment, which began in 2014, as a major partner. For the 8th consecutive year and until 2023, the leading French optics company will reward the best young rider (25 years old or less during the year, i.e. born after 1 January 1996) by awarding him the white jersey.
For the first time in its history, Krys also becomes a hearing partner of the Tour de France for this 108th edition! This new commitment highlights its role as a leader in visual and hearing health.
Krys and the Tour de France, a partnership that makes sense
On 26 June, for the Grand Départ of the 108th edition of the Tour de France, Krys will once again be the major optical partner of the race. And for the first time in its history, the brand will also become its hearing partner. Launched in 2014 Krys Audition show the Group's determination to diversify in a rapidly developing market. The arrival of Krys Audition on the Tour de France is an obvious development for the brand, which is concretising its role as a health care leader by allowing thousands of people since 2016 to have their sight or hearing tested free of charge and to receive expert advice at its “Sight and Hearing Bus”.
Jean-Pierre CHAMPION, CEO, KRYS GROUP, says: "For Krys, being a partner of the immense collective and public celebration of the Tour de France symbolises our shared values. Close ties between Krys and the Tour have been forged since 2014. And they are being strengthened this year with the arrival of Krys Audition. This commitment is genuine and meaningful for our brand, which is very attached to French savoir-faire and the development of its territories. It is a long-term partnership and symbolises the proximity of our opticians and hearing aid practitioners to their customers, throughout the country."
Christian PRUDHOMME, Tour de France General Director, adds: "It is a pleasure and honour to welcome the renewal of Krys' confidence in the Tour de France until 2023. In recent years, youth has taken control of the Tour, with Egan Bernal in 2019, who is the youngest winner in the post-war era and last year Tadej Pogacar at 21 years and 364 days the youngest winner since 1904. Standing on the podium on the Champs-Elysées with the white jersey never happens by chance, and this rider is often the face of tomorrow's cycling. The link between the young champions and the fans of the Grande Boucle is essential in the promotion of cycling whether in competition or as an affordable and ecological means of transportation. Additionally, Krys and its network of 900 shops throughout France always try to engage locally, which is also an important value of the Tour de France and cycling. "
A comprehensive scheme that you will hear about
The “Sight and Hearing Bus” will continue its screening procedures on 12 dates, to allow everyone to receive visual and hearing screening tests with health professionals. Since 2016, 4,500 people have been tested in this unique travelling bus!
In addition, this year, one day will be devoted to myopia in children, on 30 June, at the Laval Fan Park, to raise parents' awareness of the sharp increase in myopia among the younger generation. All Krys network shops will also be mobilised from 28 June to 3 July during its "Myopia Week".
On 6 July 2021, during stage 10 from Albertville to Valence, a first of its kind campaign to support the young generation will be organised on the day of the French baccalaureate results. "L'étape en blanc" will invite the public to wear a white T-shirt to create a sea of white along the race route. Each white T-shirt worn will be counted and transformed into hours of school support for children and teenagers in difficulty thanks to a partnership signed with the AFEV (Association de la Fondation Étudiante pour la Ville). It is an excellent example of solidarity with young people whose school and university careers have been particularly affected by the COVID-19 health crisis.
Through a complete and original programme, Krys is working on the Tour de France 2021 for a more united future. All the opticians, hearing aid practitioners, employees and customers of the company are eager to return to the fervour of the Tour de France.
