Everyone Who Came to Cheer Was a Star

The most original and the liveliest! With the idea of France, which gave the world the greatest and most popular stage race on the planet. The Sýkořice fan point at Khulna Kaava was an experience that pumped energy into the cyclists’ bodies during the fifth edition of the hilly L'Etape Czech Republic. "I felt like I was in the alpine climbs of the Tour de France," praised Bradley Wiggins, winner of the 2012 Tour de France, the fan point in the village above the Berounka River.

The atmosphere at L'Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France is, alongside closed roads, one of the main attractions of the largest domestic cycling race. And the 2025 edition in Prague and the Central Bohemian Region surpassed all previous years in terms of fan support. Among the fifteen fan points along the route, one village stood out: Sýkořice. The fan point pulsating with atmosphere and energy was coordinated by Radek Malina, owner of the Khulna Kaava café, for the organizers.

The hilly L'Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France 2025 is history now. Is it a closed chapter for you as well?

Not at all. I think L'Etape is not a one-day affair. Firstly, because of the length of preparations. Because of the experience from which most visitors will draw energy when remembering it. And last but not least, because even days later, we still receive photos and videos from people who visited our fan point. Whether regular visitors or cycling fans who came for the first time just because of the race.

When the organizers announced the route in autumn 2024 and it was clear the race would return to Sýkořice, were you immediately decided to prepare a fan point at Khulna?

We didn’t debate whether to prepare it, but how. The route passed through the village at the premiere, and then in the next two years as well. Twice, cyclists chose us as the best fan point on the route. When the race returned after a one-year break this year, we wanted to prepare an environment that would offer an experience both for cyclists and fans. To make the whole day exceptional for everyone — for cyclists and fan point visitors alike.

You approached the fan point in the Parisian spirit. How did the idea come about?

Although the final form of the fan point was the result of collaboration among many people, this was a rare exception. Within the group involved in the preparations of the previous three editions of the fan facilities for L'Etape in our village, various proposals were made. Then I somewhat undemocratically decided on the Parisian theme. After the 2025 route presentation, we received many positive responses from cyclists that Sýkořice would again be on the itinerary. It was, if I exclude Strahov associated with the Czech race, somewhat like coming home. The Tour de France’s home is Paris. So it was just necessary to somehow transfer at least indirectly Paris and its atmosphere to the Sýkořice hill. Hopefully, thanks to Patrik Saudek’s posters and, above all, the unique involvement of people, we succeeded.

And why did you contact Patrik Saudek?

We wanted something original to emphasize the whole concept of the fan point. We have several of his graphics at home. Some with cycling themes, others with French themes. A mutual friend connected us with Patrik, and we managed to arrange the collaboration. Two central motifs were clear: the bike and the Eiffel Tower. The third chosen motif was the Moulin Rouge. It is a symbol of the French capital, which is only four years older than the Tour de France. Primarily, it is a cabaret, a place people went to for entertainment. And our goal was for people in Sýkořice to have fun at the fan point during L'Etape.

How much time was needed to realize the fan point?

I had a clear vision in my head. I first discussed everything at the beginning of February within the family, because the key person running the café is my wife. Then consultations took place with three or four friends. Their reaction was positive. Later, I received support from the deputy mayor and mayor. Subsequently, from the Sýkořice municipal council.

Did the preparations really take that much time?

It was clear we would need support. Not only physically during the final realization but also financially. This could have doomed the whole project because the preliminary budget clearly exceeded the café’s capabilities. So I approached many entities hoping for a positive response. I met with most of them and presented a clear vision, including a visual presentation of how the entire day at L'Etape in Sýkořice would look. It was not just about decoration. The goal was to provide a program for the whole family. We wanted to involve children and give them fun before the race passed through.

We prepared six stations where kids could complete cycling-related tasks. An obstacle course for small bikers was also ready. From the organizers, we obtained a visual museum of Tour de France history, which we incorporated into the space. We also enriched the café’s offer, which included French quiches, macarons, French wines... In short, everything was geared toward an experience connected with France, or more specifically, the Tour de France. The final effect was amplified by the fact that people heeded our call and came dressed in outfits or costumes reflecting Moulin Rouge or at least in French colors. So as a bonus after the peloton passed, we announced and awarded the best three outfits among women and one man’s outfit.

What was the response from potential partners?

Mostly positive. The municipality of Sýkořice, the municipality of Zbečno, and several local entities financially supported the event within their possibilities. We received huge help from Miroslav Zadák, who was inspired by the idea of combining children’s activities with cycling as a patron of the ATT Investments team. We also prepared a special cycling raffle for visitors, where partners included large cycling companies as well as smaller supporters. And the local Sýkořice volunteer fire brigade contributed invaluable help, with representatives spending many hours of physical work preparing and later dismantling all the fan point elements.

So many fans gathered at Khulna Kaava that they formed a corridor on both sides of the road, and the racers passed through a narrow corridor up close, like somewhere in the Alps. Did you expect several hundred cycling fans to come?

We hoped so. The fact that we managed to convince the L'Etape organizers to entrust us with the autograph session of the ambassador played a big role. Bradley Wiggins, a five-time Olympic champion and 2012 Tour de France winner, was certainly a huge draw. The collaboration with professionals for music production and hosting went perfectly. Jan Meruna and Zdeněk Novotný propelled the whole event to great heights. The weather was fantastic. And I think we succeeded in convincing people to come enjoy an exceptional afternoon. We didn’t primarily lure anyone with the race itself, which is undoubtedly exceptional. We invited everyone to a unique afternoon. Everyone who came was a star of Paris in the caravan, as we called the whole event.

The feedback from riders on the route about the Sýkořice fan point was positive. What reactions did you collect on site?

Positive. I didn’t have the chance to speak to everyone because there were really a lot of visitors. If I could, I would thank everyone personally. I believe everyone took away an unforgettable experience. Bradley Wiggins contributed to the exceptional atmosphere, extending his autograph session and watching the race passage among fans from a chair like a regular visitor. People at the fan point had fun. It was pure energy. I think I can say a little immodestly that Sýkořice not only experienced L'Etape but partly also created it this time.

So, complete satisfaction?

We were sorry that the middle route did not pass through the village. I am convinced that the experience for its participants, undoubtedly positive as it was, would have been even stronger. And also for fans. We can only hope for the return of L'Etape sometime in the future. Hopefully, it will be possible to attract cycling fans to Sýkořice again and create a day that will be unforgettable.