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HTC Participation ride with Team HTC-Columbia – A jersey donation to “Child Cancer Just Beat It”

Remo Knops — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:00:48 +0000

On July 2nd, one day before the start of Le Tour de France 2010, there are a lot of events on and around the prologue track.

HTC UK organized a HTC Participation ride with Erik Zabel and Tristan Hoffman around the Kralingse Plas in Rotterdam. It is a great location to cycle with lots of green, and honestly I didn’t have the feeling to be very close to a large city like Rotterdam.

Meet Erik Zabel, Tristan Hoffman and team HTC-Columbia

In this picture above you can see Erik Zabel, Tristan Hoffman and the participating HTC Columbia team-members lining up for the truck.

Eric Zabel, Advisor;

“With over 200 professional wins Erik Zabel is considered by some one of the greatest German cyclists and best cycling sprinters of history. Zabel won a record nine points classifications in grands tours including wearing the final green jersey in the Tour de France a record six consecutive years between 1996 to 2001 and the points jersey at the Vuelta a España in 2002, 2003 and 2004. Zabel won the Milan-Sanremo four times and numerous six-day track events.”

Tristan Hoffman, Sports Director;

“Tristan Hoffman, Sports Director, brings strong Classics racing experience to Team HTC-Columbia. He raced until 2004, was Dutch National Champion in 1992, and finished in the top five in Paris Roubaix three times.”

Helge Riepenhof, M.D. Head Team Doctor;
Luise Keller;
Gert Dockx;
Jan Ghyselinck;

In the list above you can follow the links to the HTC Columbia athletes, which brings you to their personal page with race wins and background information.

The ride around the Kralingse Plas

The ride itself wasn’t really difficult or hard to complete, since it were laps around the Kralingse Plas at an average speed. Of course the great part with the interaction with the riders, who were extremely easy going, open and approachable.

I had a nice conversation with Jan Ghyselinck about the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2, the intelligent Shimano electronic shifting group, which is mounted on the Scott Addict Team;
With Luise Keller I talked about women cycling, and the cycling programs for young riders now (compared to some years ago);
Helge Riepenhof was riding one of the Scott Project F01 bikes, so we discussed the improvements over the Scott Addict bikes. Furthermore we discussed topics like the SRM Training System – PowerMeter + PowerControl , the new HED wheels in the Scott Project F01 bike, and the technology leadership that HTC brings to the HTC Columbia team !
And last but not least there was time to ride side by side with Erik Zabel and Tristan Hoffman. I asked both of them about their current activities for the team, and was interested in their training programs since both Zabel and Hoffman really looked strong;

One of the unique characteristics of road cycling is that you can get very close to the riders. Remark for example the pictures of the mountain stages in Le Tour de France, where the walls of people split in two when the riders pass by.

Since we were just with a small number of people it was almost a private cycling clinic, that was extremely cool to experience (certainly if you are a hobby road cyclist yourself) and a lot of fun as well !!

HTC-Columbia Team Jersey signed for “Child Cancer Just Beat It”

A few weeks ago I wrote an article on this blog about the Child Cancer Just Beat It initiative , after one of my cycling friends, who is a product manager at Berner Benelux, asked me if I wanted to buy a blue “Just Beat It bracelet”.

Berner Benelux is going to support Child Cancer foundations in Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg for 18 months, in the light of their corporate social responsibility programs.

“Renewed research on child cancer requires a specific approach that is geared toward specific genetic characteristics of child cancer. VZW Child Cancer Foundation in Belgium, Kika in The Netherlands and Kriibskrank Kanner Foundation in Luxembourg, are asking for extra support for these types of research.”

During the HTC participation ride I explained to team HTC-Columbia that I attended the HTC participation ride in a special role as goodwill ambassador for the ”Child Cancer Just Beat It” foundation, and asked the team if it was possible to sign a HTC-Columbia jersey that will be auctioned for the fight against child cancer.

Erik Zabel, Tristan Hoffman and the rest of the team have been very supportive and were more than willing to contribute with a relative small thing like a signature ! In the picture above you can see me holding the team HTC-Columbia jersey, while Eric Zabel puts his signature on it !

Overall experiences of a great cycling event

My compliments to HTC UK, HTC Netherlands and team HTC-Columbia for the excellent organization and participation in such a great cycling event.

For me as a hobby cyclist it was awesome to ride with the HTC-Columbia team, dedicated professionals who are passionate about their sport with an impressive drive for succes and winning !!

The interaction with the riders was awesome, who were friendly, easy going, open and approachable. It really felt like I was riding with some good friends that you know for a 10 years. Foremost it was fun, with great sunny weather and a nice location with lots of green close to Le Grand Depart 2010 in Rotterdam.

Child Cancer – Just Beat It

Furthermore I attended the HTC participation ride in a special role as goodwill ambassador for the ”Child Cancer Just Beat It” foundation ! I would like to thank the members of team HTC-Columbia for their willingness, contribution and support for the fight against child cancer.

The HTC-Columbia team-members signed a team jersey that will be auctioned, and on behalf of Berner Benelux and the Child Cancer Just Beat It foundation I’m really humble and greatfull for this gesture !!

It was a great day and let’s hope for some great results of team HTC-Columbia in Le Tour de France 2010 !

Child Cancer – Just BEAT it ! – An initiative of Berner Benelux

Remo Knops — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 08:00:08 +0000

Almost everyone has experienced (directly or indirectly) the impact of a terrible dissease like cancer in the circle of close friends and family. It is even more tragic when young childeren are hit by this class of disseases called cancer, as defined by wikipedia:

“Cancer is a class of diseases in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth (division beyond the normal limits), invasion (intrusion on and destruction of adjacent tissues), and sometimes metastasis (spread to other locations in the body via lymph or blood).”

Recently one of my cycling friends, who is a product manager at Berner Benelux, asked me if I wanted to buy a blue “Just Beat It bracelet” in order to support the fight against child cancer. The answer to this question is a definite “YES, I’ll buy a few” without blinking an eye !

Corporate Social Responsibility with a personal touch

You could place this great initiative in the context of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) discussion, which is becoming more and more important for companies today. The European Commission of of Enterprise and Industry defines Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as:

“A concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis.”

Unfortunately is the Child Cancer Foundation Just Beat It, a form of Corporate Social Responsibility with a personal touch.

“We chose for the fight against childcancer because, unfortunately, a couple of Berner co-workers are currently experiencing it first hand and know what it means when your child is struck by cancer. Besides, looking at people around us, we all can imagine what this means and the impact cancer has on the young patients and their families.”

I would like to invite you all to read the story of Raymond Ruwette, warehouse employee at Berner in Landgraaf, who’s 4-year old son is diagnosed with cancer. The interview with Raymond Ruwette provides a slight idea of the impact that child cancer has on the diagnosed child, its parents and the neighbourhood of family and friends.

“In the past, Berner has supported all kinds of good causes. We are “experts with passion” and often show that we are also “experts with a heart”. This time, we will support Child Cancer foundations in Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg for 18 months. Renewed research on child cancer requires a specific approach that is geared toward specific genetic characteristics of child cancer. VZW Child Cancer Foundation in Belgium, Kika in The Netherlands and Kriibskrank Kanner Foundation in Luxembourg, are asking for extra support for these types of research.”

In the text above from the Just Beat It Child Cancer Foundation website, there are a few interesting facts! Berner Benelux supports a child cancer foundation in each country of the Benelux, three (!!!) in total ! Furthermore the time over which money is raised for the fight against child cancer is 18 months ( =1.5 years), with a long list of different events and approaches to raise money. I think this “longer” timeframe provides an opportunity to make a real difference.

Mont Blanc Expedition – The Just Beat It climax

“The expedition to the top of the Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in western Europe, will be the final of over a year of activities to support the charity organizations in their fight against child cancer. In June 2011 several employees of Berner will accept the challenge to reach the top of the Mont Blanc.”

The final phase of the upcoming 1.5 years of supporting activities to raise money to fight child cancer will be an expedition to the top of the Mont Blanc. This is a huge challenge from a sports perspective, since climbing to 4,810 meters above sea-level will require a peakcondition and lot of perseverance to reach the top. I can imagine that the expedition to the Mont Blanc top can be tough and emotional, certainly if I try to imagine the climb of Raymond Ruwette, warehouse employee at Berner in Landgraaf, who’s 4-year old son is diagnosed with cancer.

In addition to the challenging part climbing a mountain like the Mont Blanc includes also some symbolism. Hopefully the Mont Blanc Expedition will also become the highest peak in the amount of money to support the charity organizations.

However the Mont Blanc Expedition is about one year away, and will take place on June 2011. Therefore keep an eye on the website of the Just Beat It Child Cancer Foundation, and follow the expedition step by step. From training till reaching the top !

Concluding thoughts

Professional cyclist Lance Amstrong, has become the personification of the fight against cancer and raised awarness about the impact of this set of disseases. On the website of the Livestrong Foundation you can read the following quote:

“We fight to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.”

The Just Beat It Foundation is fighting for the same good cause, and I will help them to make a difference to the best of my abilities. Not only by making a financial contribution, but also by inspiring and as many people as possible, and let them donate or participate actively in one of the events in the upcoming future.

In contrast you need to think about the tremendous marketing budgets that are spent for the 2010 FIFA Worldcup in South Africa. Despite the fact that it will indirectly help the people in South Africa, it is just a small fraction of the marketing budgets that will reach the streets for personal development.

With a small donation to the Just Beat It Child Cancer Foundation you can really make a difference and change the lives of children diagnosed with cancer, their parents, friends and family! With your support for renewed research aimed at the genetic characteristics of child cancer you help the future generations as well !!

How you can help ?

The Just Beat It – Child Cancer Foundation is under ongoing construction, and unfortunately there isn’t a donate button available yet.

However with help of the following (banking) information it is possible to wiretransfer a donation to the according bankaccount in the Netherlands or Belgium:

Just Beat It – Child Cancer Foundation
P.O. Box 30034
NL-6370KA Landgraaf
The Netherlands
KvK 14131823
Bankrelation in The Netherlands: ABN-AMRO 45.83.70.460 , IBAN NL06ABNA0458370460
Bankrelation in Belgium: KBC 731-0109079-26 , IBAN BE59731010907926

Join the “experts with a heart” and support their incredible journey to fight child cancer !!

About Berner

For those of you who don’t know Berner as a company, you can read the “Berner in a minute” section below from the Berner Holding website:

“Berner is one of the leading European direct sales companies in the small parts business, for professional use in the building and automobile trades as well as in industry. Around 8,000 qualified, specialized employees – over 5,000 of those in field sales – ensure our customers are looked after comprehensively and advised professionally, every day, in over 20 European countries.”

Team Columbia-HTC will ride the 2009 Tour de France under new three-year sponsorship agreement

Remo Knops — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:00:02 +0000

Road cycling is my favourite sport and being an active cyclist for over 18 years, the excitement is rising because we are two weeks before the start of the Tour de France -the worlds thoughest three week road cylcing race -.

Furthermore you can read on the “About Me-page” that mobile technology also has my interest for about 11 years. Today I received a great press release which combines the best of both worlds:

“High Road Sports, Inc., the owner of Team Columbia-Highroad and HTC Corporation, a designer of mobile phones, today announced a three-year sponsorship agreement that prominently places the HTC brand at the starting line of the 2009 Tour de France on July 4 in Monaco.” [ref01]

“The HTC High Road Sports partnership is a great match of like minded organizations driven by innovation, excellence and competitiveness and we are excited about the opportunity to communicate HTCs brand value through the great sport of cycling,” said Peter Chou, chief executive officer, HTC Corporation. “HTCs sponsorship of Team Columbia-HTC is one step in HTCs commitment to increasing its global brand value and recognition.” [ref01]

The announcement is a great birthday present for George Hincapie, one of the most experienced riders of the team and former team-mate of the 7-times winner of the Tour de France: Lance Amstrong.

With Mark Cavendish as a Tour de France team member of Team Columbia – HTC, there is a huge chance of obtaining some stage victories. Mark Cavendish is simply the fastest sprinter on earth and last years Tour de France he took 4 or 5 stage victories, so this year he might even try to obtain the green jersey as well !

With less than two weeks before the start of the Tour de France I’m really excited to get a glimps of the new Team Columbia – HTC jersey’s. Will the HTC green and grey come back into the jersey design or not ?

I’m really happy with the announcement and I think HTC made a huge but brilliant marketing decision!! I wish both Team Columbia and HTC much success in the upcoming Tour de France, and thank you for combining the best of two worlds: cycling and mobile technology.