King Christian X’s bridge will turn yellow during the Tour de France in 2022. Bitten & Mads Clausen’s Foundation has chosen to give a donation of DKK 310,000 to wrap the bridge in yellow fabric to mark the cycling race coming to Sønderborg in 2022. The fabric is made from meshed material so that the wind can pass through it, enabling it to withstand the wind and weather over this period.
Chair of the Foundation, Peter Mads Clausen, explains about the donation:
The idea of wrapping the town’s bridge in yellow is a really good one. It enhances the visibility of the local landmark. In addition to drawing attention during the Tour de France, it is hoped that it will also be something that visitors and TV viewers will remember Sønderborg for. We must use the Tour de France as a positive opportunity to generate interest in the area as this means that more people may visit for other reasons.
Chair of Bitten & Mads Clausen’s Foundation, Peter Mads Clausen.
The fabric will be recycled
The yellow cloth will be removed from the bridge on the 4th of July 2022. Once the Tour de France has finished, the cloth will be recycled into items such as tote bags. This recycling demonstrates the thought that has gone into the planning to become the World’s Greenest Target Town.
The project is about decorating the town so that it won’t be just the cyclists and the spectators celebrating in yellow when the world’s largest cycling race comes to Sønderborg on the 3rd of July 2022; King Christian X’s bridge in Sønderborg will also now be part of the celebration and it will signify Sønderborg as a target town of the third stage.
The Mayor, Erik Lauritzen is enthusiastic too about the idea and says:
The Tour de France is about the community, and we would like as many people as possible to join ‘the Yellow Celebration’. We wish to create a fantastic atmosphere making a good impression and positive image, thereby drawing attention to Sønderborg. The bridge will be a distinctive feature and a ‘yellow reminder’. It will be visible on helicopter photographs, and people on the water will also be able to view it. At the same time, it will also be a strong local landmark for everyone in the municipality.
Erik Lauritzen, Mayor, Sønderborg Municipality
The bridge will be wrapped in yellow for 100 days, during the entire 100-day programme from the 23rd March to the 3rd July 2022. For traffic safety reasons, it will only be wrapped in yellow on the outside and on the top. The bridge will continue to be fully functional and open throughout the entire period.
