Euro-Tyre-Infinity Employees ‘Pump the Pedals’ for Charity

‘Ride for the Roses’ is a well-known charity event initiated by seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong. First held in Austin, Texas, a Ride for the Roses race has been run annually in the Netherlands since 1998. This year’s event was held in the city of Venlo on September 5 and attracted more than 11,000 participants, including eight motivated employees from Dutch wholesaler Euro-Tyre. Together the Euro-Tyre cyclists covered a combined total of more than 900 kilometres and their contribution to the Dutch Cancer Association, the KWF, was boosted by an additional donation from company management.

After 110 kilotmetres and 3 hours, 45 minutes, the Euro-Tyre-Infinity team crossed the finish line exhausted and out of breath yet very happy. This is an emotion often experienced by those competing in “Ride for the Roses” – instead of jostling to be first riders feel a sense of satisfaction in helping a good cause. “For us, taking part was really a matter close to our hearts and we were exceedingly happy that in the end even more donations than expected were received,” commented Euro-Tyre manager Guus Wolf, who established the company’s cycling team together with colleague Carlo Faasen. “Ride for the Roses really is a great event, yet very emotional at the same time. The sight of so many people riding along and lining the route provided an incredible backdrop and many of the participants and spectators have personally lost family members through this terrible disease – as have several members of our team.”

When Guus Wolf first heard about the race in Venlo some six months ago, he had no second thoughts about it and told his colleagues about the project: “Everyone offered their support without hesitation. The company’s management was also immediately enthusiastic about our plan and equipped the team with outfits and other items.”

Even though Ride for the Roses is not a professional race, the Euro-Tyre team comments that participants’ ambitions were every bit as great. “As a test exercise we even rode the 110 kilometres a week earlier,” explained Carlo Faasen. After preparing as best as possible and with great expectations the amateur cyclists lined up at the start with more than 100 other teams on September 5. The teams had the choice of covering 35, 50 or 110 kilometre routes; the Euro-Tyre-Infinity team decided upon the longest of the three. “At the halfway point our initial strength had already noticeably reduced. Despite this, family and friends waiting for us at many points along the route constantly gave us fresh motivation.”

Company Director S. Schlacks and a number of colleagues were also present to give the team their full support. “Our employees’ great commitment makes me very proud and symoblises the strong solidarity at Euro-Tyre. In addition, the event offered an optimal opportunity to combine our distinctive team spirit with dedication to other people who are in need of help.” The director didn’t simply want to support the team’s action from the sidelines and decided to donate an extra sum to the charity. “Adorning ourselves with major ‘corporate social responsibility campaigns’ is simply not our thing. Instead we prefer to actively support projects that we have a personal connection to.” While Schlacks prefers the amount donated to remain confidential, Guus Wolf comments the company and Infinity donated a “considerable amount.” In total, Ride for the Roses received a total of 900,000 euros for the cancer charity – reason enough, the Euro-Tyre team says, to participate again next year.