12 Acts Tour 2015

Since 2004, Atos colleagues have been cycling an annual two-day tour to introduce colleagues from different countries, places, and disciplines to each other and to strengthen mutual bonds. What started small in the Netherlands in 2004 has grown over 11 years into an international event for a maximum of 60 cycling participants and about ten support staff. For the first four years, the two-day bike tour ran from Eindhoven to Groningen, after which the route was shifted from Paris to Eindhoven (the cities of light) in 2008. As a result, the Atos Tour has become larger and increasingly international, and participating cyclists now face 475 kilometers with approximately 4500 meters of elevation gain. The entire organization of the Atos Tour is in the hands of the committee, with the help of ambassadors from each country. The ambassadors assist the committee in giving the Atos Tour a profile in their respective countries, in addition to the organization. The goal of the Atos Tour is to foster a bond between colleagues from diverse backgrounds by participating in sports together and contributing to a good cause. Safety and togetherness are paramount: out together, home safely together. During every Atos Tour, participants also ride for a good cause, supporting people with less luck or poorer health. In 2013, the Dutch participants rode for KiKa, and colleagues from other countries for their national cancer foundations. The fight against cancer has been the charity to which participants contribute for many years; working colleagues, retirees, and business associates join forces in this endeavor. Jan Janssen and Joop Zoetemelk are, of course, two well-known Dutch cyclists who both have an impressive track record. Both have appeared on a postage stamp before. Both Jan Janssen and Joop Zoetemelk were World Champions in 1964 and 1985, respectively.   Jan Janssen and Joop Zoetemelk pose for a stamp benefiting KIKA (Children Cancer-Free). The stamp, legal postage, was produced in-house for the Atos Tour, a two-day tour from Eindhoven to Paris on September 4 and 5. The Bicycle List