SKODA has become an official partner of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships for the first time this year.

The flagship multi-discipline mountain bike event runs across seven venues in the Swiss canton of Valais.

Over the two weeks in September, a total of 27 UCI World Championship titles will be awarded.

Skoda is supplying the organising team with 13 electrified vehicles and will be designing the ‘hot seat' for the leaders of the downhill races.

Skoda models will be showcased along the course and in the fan zones. Up to 100,000 fans are expected to attend, with several million viewers following the events via live broadcasts.

Martin Jahn, Skoda Autoboard member for sales and marketingsaid: "Cycling has been part of Skoda's story for 130 years and it's still a core part of our DNA today.

"We've proudly supported the sport for more than two decades - not just at the biggest international races, but also for the everyday riders who love getting out on their bikes. Partnering with the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships is reinforcing our commitment to become the top brand for active and functionally-oriented customers. It connects us with people who value freedom, exploration and practical solutions, and see cycling as a natural part of their lifestyle."

In May this year, Skoda announced it will be partnering with two flagship UCI events for the next two seasons alongside the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships, the UCI Gravel World Championships, which take place in October in the Dutch province of Limburg.

The Czech automaker's history is closely linked to bicycles. In 1895, Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Klement - Skoda Auto's founders - started with a bicycle factory in Mlada Boleslav.

Cycling is one of the main pillars of Skoda Auto's sponsorship activities, including world-renowned road events. Chief among these are the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana stage races.