- The Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift are proud to announce the continuation of its partnership with the Qhubeka Charity (“Qhubeka”) as an official charity supported by both the Tour de France (4-26 July) and Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (1-9 August) across 2026.
- Qhubeka has been a charity supported by the Tour de France for eight years - and by the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift since 2022 – which has led to the distribution of over 2,500 of Qhubeka’s unique bicycles to schoolchildren across southern Africa.
This relationship is a key part of Tour de France’s “A Bicycle for All”+ / “Un Vélo pour Tous” programme which aims to get thousands of school pupils across France on bicycles. To complement this on the international stage, the Tour de France commits to supporting Qhubeka’s ‘Scholar Mobility’ programme in South Africa.
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.”
Amaury Sport Organisation CEO, Yann Le Moenner said, “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.”
We make this announcement today as Stage Fourteen (18 July) of the Tour de France 2026 - one month from today - will be designated “Qhubeka Day” and the whole day will be dedicated to our support of the charity. This stage begins in Mulhouse, a city proud to have a “Cycle City of the Tour de France” label, as part of the “Riding into the Future”/ “l’Avenir à Vélo” programme, which promotes cycling for everyone.
On this day, Anthony Fitzhenry will present a new Qhubeka bicycle model - which has been under development for several years, and is currently in final testing stages, for launch later this summer. Fitzhenry states this will be the best bicycle in the world for its purpose, designed by Africans, with tough African conditions in mind, to be highly durable, long-lasting, and almost maintenance-free.
