This spring, Thule will be tracking the progress of sales associates across the country in the inaugural “Tour de Thule” sales race, as associates vie for a chance to win a trip for two to the 2007 Tour de France and other great prizes.

Beginning April 1st through June 30th 2006, participating sales associates will earn Tour de Thule points for each completed Thule product sale. These points in turn can be redeemed for products from Thule and other Tour de Thule partners. Come June 30th, the Tour de Thule participant who has accrued the most points will be awarded the grand prize of a trip for two to the 2007 Tour de France. Second and third place finishers will receive gift packs valued at $1000 and $500 respectively.

“We wanted to create a fun program that would get sales associates fired up about Thule,” said Trip Wyckoff, Thule VP of Sales. “So we created our own spring classic, and what better prize is there than a trip to the Tour de France.”

All employees of Thule dealers who participated in Thule’s spring 2006 pre-season program are eligible to compete in the 2006 Tour de Thule. To enter the field, associates must create an online user profile. Detailed instructions on how to create a profile can be found in the program materials which were previously sent to all pre-season participating dealers. Once participants have created a profile they can access their account online and log each completed Thule product sale. During the race, bonus points will be awarded to each month’s top-producing sales person, or stage winner, while additional points can be earned for completing Thule’s Rack-it Science IV sales training program.

“Though there will only be one grand prize winner, the great thing is that all sales associates have the chance to get great products from Thule and our Tour de Thule partners,” added Wyckoff.

Participating associates can redeem their Tour de Thule points for products from Thule and other leading outdoor and bicycle industry companies including Kelty, Patagonia, Pedro’s, Camelbak, Native Eyewear, Clif Bar, Crank Brothers, High Gear, Princeton Tec, and Electra Bicycles.