Under grey skies and persistent rain, dozens of cyclists set off from Saint-Tropez on Sunday, April 27, tackling a gruelling 140-kilometre ride to Monaco for charity. The annual Champagne & Oyster Cycling Club of Monaco (COCC) race, which has been a fixture since 2012, once again brought together professional athletes, amateurs, and high-profile figures, all united by a common goal: raising funds for good causes.
This year’s ride honoured two main beneficiaries: the Princess Charlene Foundation, dedicated to water safety and drowning prevention, and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, which supports research into motor neuron disease. Riders were also encouraged to donate to Cancer Research UK, with QR codes scattered around the finish line for easy contributions.
The spirit of the event was particularly poignant this year, with participants wearing jerseys in tribute to Eddie Jordan, the much-loved former Formula 1 team boss and long-time supporter of the ride, who passed away in March.
His Serene Highness Prince Albert II once again lent his support, joining cyclists for the final leg from Beaulieu-sur-Mer to Monaco, while Princess Charlene later joined celebrations at the finish. Former Tour de France and Giro d’Italia winner Stephen Roche was among the famous faces in the peloton, alongside Gareth Wittstock, Secretary General of the Princess Charlene Foundation, who helped lead the charge despite the wet and slippery early conditions.
After crossing the finish line, the festivities moved to Rue Suffren-Reymond, where Slammers bar hosted the now-traditional street party, bringing a nightclub atmosphere to Monaco’s Sunday afternoon.
While the exact amount raised is still being tallied, organisers confirmed that in over a decade, the event has already generated more than one million euros for charitable causes — a legacy built on endurance, generosity, and a fair bit of champagne.
Image courtesy of Eric Mathon/Prince’s Palace
