Christian Prudhomme, Director of the Tour de France, Gives a Talk at Clermont School of Business

An Event at the Crossroads of Sport, Media, and Regional Identity

Christian Prudhomme’s visit reflects the strong and lasting partnership between Clermont School of Business and Groupe Centre France – La Montagne. This strategic relationship builds bridges between the academic, economic, and media spheres, enabling the organization of meaningful events that resonate with the region.

In his opening remarks, Richard Soparnot highlighted how fitting it was to host such a conference at the School, given that the Tour de France embodies a multifaceted project — managerial, logistical, athletic, political, and media-related. Leading the Tour de France requires exceptional management skills, outstanding logistical coordination, and the ability to unite a wide array of stakeholders including local governments, business partners, media, and sports teams. It is also a deeply human challenge that strongly aligns with the skill set the School strives to instill in its students.

Behind the Scenes of a Sporting Institution

In a conversation led by Olivier Bonnichon, Director of Communication and Institutional Editorial Relations at Groupe Centre France, Christian Prudhomme — former sports journalist and now the orchestrator of one of the world’s most-watched sporting events — spoke candidly and humbly about his career and his role within A.S.O. (Amaury Sport Organisation).

Through on-the-ground anecdotes, personal insights, and a vivid portrayal of his profession, he captivated the audience by revealing the behind-the-scenes of a profoundly human adventure that, beyond its athletic dimension, is rooted in the personal history of many French citizens.

He also spoke about the 2025 edition of the Tour de France, with a special focus on the stage starting from Ennezat this summer, once again highlighting the Auvergne region’s place in the history of this major national event. He made a special mention of the Tour de France Femmes, with a stage set to begin in Clermont-Ferrand this July.

An Evening Full of Insight and Warmth

The conference concluded with a lively Q&A session during which Christian Prudhomme enthusiastically engaged with the audience, addressing topics ranging from logistics and ethics to branding and the Tour’s development strategy.

The evening continued with a cocktail reception, giving attendees the opportunity to extend the conversation and share a special moment with one of the key figures of modern French sports.