The Tour de France has felt the first big financial effect of the Floyd Landis affair, with its main car sponsor Skoda choosing not to renew its contract when it finishes at the end of 2007. The Czech car manufacturer said that while it was "generally content with the sponsorship" it didn't want its image to be associated with doping scandals such as the one involving Landis.
Skoda, part of the Volkswagen group, has been sponsoring the race since 2004, when it took over from Fiat. Its sponsorship of the world's biggest bike race has helped increase its visibility in several key European markets.
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