Strange as it seems, there is a downside for cyclists who achieve a podium finish during the Tour de France – and for the team they represent. While those who finished further back can start their recuperation immediately, aboard a luxury coach complete with comfy seats, TVs and showers, the winners can be held up for hours before getting a ride back to the hotel in one of the support vehicles.

Now Ford has solved the problem by bringing the comfort and convenience of the Team Sky coach to a one-off version of its Tourneo Custom people mover that is kitted out with a kitchenette and fridge, as well as reclining seats, power outlets and gel blankets that help riders to cool down.

“Every second counts in cycling, and the smallest gains can mean the difference between winning and losing. The Tourneo Custom podium car helps riders begin their post-race recovery earlier and travel to the hotel in comfort, which puts them in prime position to hit the bike hard the next day and maintain their winning form,” said Servais Knaven, sport director, Team Sky.

Ford is the exclusive supplier of cars and vans for Team Sky, with the partnership that began in 2016 already resulting in over 100 victories. The Team Sky fleet also includes Ford Mondeo ST-Line wagons equipped with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (AWD), S-MAX with Intelligent AWD, Edge and Transit vehicles. A special Ford Ranger promoting the ‘Share The Road’ campaign is the scouting vehicle at this year’s Tour which starts on 7 July and finishes on 29 July.

“A key issue for a rider travelling in a support car is leg room. In the Tourneo Custom, the roomy cabin gives a rider plenty of space to stretch out, put their feet up, get hot and cold recovery food and drinks and receive medical attention if needed. The luxurious trim and carpets add to the feeling of relaxation, while the versatile interior made it easy to fit the kitchen, fridge and storage units,” said Andrew Merryweather, brand experience manager, Ford of Europe.