A Sporty Weekend for Prince Albert II: Cycling for Charity Despite a Heavy Heart
Participates in charitable cycling competitions - Participant is cycling during charity races on a bike
Prince Albert II, the 67-year-old Monaco leader, known for his love for sports, has a remarkable 14-sport résumé and even tried his hand at bobsledding at five Winter Olympics. Despite the somber mood from attending the funeral of Pope Francis the previous day, he hopped onto his bike to take part in a charity cycling event, cheered on by his wife, Princess Charlène (47).
Pedaling for a Purpose: The Final Stretch
For the 11th iteration of the COCC Ride, Prince Albert donned a light blue jersey and cycled the last leg between Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Monaco. Organized by the unofficial cycling club "Champagne & Oyster Cycling Club of Monaco," this event primarily benefits the Princess Charlène Foundation.
Princess Charlène had double the reason to cheer on her husband and celebrate his successful ride. While Albert waved to the cameras in his sports attire and white cap, Charlène, dressed in all-black, was a striking figure of support.
A Crowd of Cyclists Joined Forces
The COCC Ride has been held annually since 2011, with all proceeds going to the Princess's foundation and the "My Name'5 Doddie" research foundation. To participate, cyclists must traverse the 140 kilometers from Saint-Tropez to Monaco and make a minimum donation of €1,000. Joining the ride in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Prince Albert accompanied the over 100 participants to Monaco.
- Prince Albert II.
- Cycling Event
- COCC Ride
- Charity
- Sports
- Winter Olympics
- Royal Couple
- Princess Charlène
- Weather Challenges
- Monaco
- Tour de France
- Saint-Tropez
- Funeral
- Pope Francis
- St. Peter's Square
Enrichment Data:
Overall:
The annual COCC Ride charity cycling event in Monaco, organized by the Champagne & Oyster Cycling Club (COCC) since 2012, is a significant event in the principality’s philanthropic calendar. This year’s 2025 edition, held on April 27, continued its tradition of combining endurance with charitable fundraising[1].
Key Details:
- Route: A 140-kilometer ride from Saint-Tropez to Monaco, with participants cycling under challenging weather conditions, including rain and slippery roads[1].
- Participants: Professional cyclists (including Stephen Roche, a Tour de France winner), amateurs, and Monegasque royalty. Prince Albert II joined the final leg from Beaulieu-sur-Mer to Monaco, while Princess Charlene greeted riders at the finish line[1].
- Beneficiaries:
- Princess Charlene Foundation (water safety and drowning prevention).
- My Name’5 Doddie Foundation (motor neuron disease research).
- Cancer Research UK, via QR-code donations at the finish line[1].
Notable Elements:
- Tribute: Cyclists wore jerseys honoring the late Formula 1 team boss Eddie Jordan, a longtime event supporter[1].
- Legacy: The event has raised over €1 million for charity since its inception, with the 2025 total still being calculated[1].
- Post-Ride Festivities: A street party at Rue Suffren-Reymond, hosted by Slammers bar, marked the conclusion[1].
This year’s ride exemplified Monaco’s blend of high-profile advocacy and grassroots fundraising, reinforcing its role in supporting global health and safety initiatives[2][3][4].
- Prince Albert II, despite the somber mood from attending the funeral of Pope Francis the previous day, showed his resilience by participating in the COCC Ride charity cycling event in Monaco.
- In his light blue jersey, Prince Albert II joined over 100 participants for the final leg of the 140-kilometer ride from Beaulieu-sur-Mer to Monaco, a tradition that has been held annually since 2011.
- Joining forces with Prince Albert II, the cyclists primarily benefited the Princess Charlène Foundation, with a minimum donation of €1,000 per participant required for participation.
- Amid the Challenging weather conditions during the COCC Ride, Prince Albert II and Princess Charlène served as a remarkable example of the royal couple's active support for charitable causes.
