The Champagne & Oyster Cycling Club (COCC) is gearing up for the 12th edition of its flagship charity ride from Saint-Tropez to Monaco, set to take place on Sunday, May 31, a 140-kilometre coastal endurance challenge that has become a fixture of the Riviera’s sporting and philanthropic calendar.
But while riders prepare to take on the demanding route, organisers are highlighting the less visible force behind the event: a wide network of sponsors whose backing makes the ride possible year after year.
The COCC initiative raises funds for the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, supporting causes linked to water safety and motor neurone disease research. What began as a niche cycling event has grown into one of the region’s more recognisable charity sports gatherings, drawing participants from business, sport and the yachting world.
Organisers say the 2026 edition is on track to maintain its fundraising target of €100,000, with support spanning luxury brands, engineering firms, property specialists and lifestyle companies.
New sponsors this year include superyacht brokerage Burgess, Monaco-based real estate agency Prestige Properties Monaco, and construction services provider Kyanite Services. Saint-Tropez House will also sponsor the Saturday evening drinks reception ahead of the ride.
They join a returning roster featuring names such as McLaren, Relevance, Balkin Real Estate, Geetech Superyacht Engineering, Inter-nett, Levmet, Brash, Lyon Skin Care, BioCorteX, Jake Productions and Slammers Bar Monaco.
Beyond financial support, sponsors contribute logistics, production, branding and hospitality elements, including rider kit production and the post-finish celebrations in Monaco — where the traditional COCC street party continues into the evening at Slammers.
Organisers were blunt about the importance of this backing: without it, the event simply would not exist in its current form. In return, sponsor logos appear on the distinctive COCC jerseys worn throughout the ride — apparel that has previously been seen on participants including His Serene Highness Prince Albert II, professional cyclists and Formula 1 drivers.
As anticipation builds for the 2026 edition, COCC says the event remains as much about community as competition — a long, sun-baked procession along the Mediterranean coast, powered as much by generosity as by pedals.