Chris Froome skips first training camp with new team Israel Start-Up Nation
The seven-time Grand Tour winner has been doing intense training in California during the off-season
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Chris Froome will not be joining his new Israel Start-Up Nation team-mates for their first training camp of the year in Girona, Spain, so he can continue to concentrate on his intense training and rehab programme in California, US.
The four-time Tour de France winner has agreed with his team that it makes more sense for him to continue individual training so he can be in the best shape possible for the upcoming season.
Froome is undergoing rehab as well as training in California as he is still recovering from the career-threatening crash he had in the 2019 Critérium du Dauphiné.
The team's head of performance, Paulo Saldanha explained in a team press release: "Chris Froome, has made great progress with both his rehab and strength work to rebalance his body since his significant injury.
"After our internal assessment and discussion, we felt it was important for him to continue in his current environment in California. We feel this is most conducive for continuing his progress both on and off the bike."
Israel Start-Up Nation's first camp was meant to be in the usual spot of Israel, but the country has gone into its third national lockdown, despite being one of the leading countries in the world for vaccinations.
The team had to reschedule and move the location to the much-used training roads around the city of Girona in Spain instead, with the team hoping to go to Israel in February or March.
Sylvan Adams, team co-owner, said: "We will hold a preliminary pre-season training camp in Spain, as it was impossible to confidently hold the camp in Israel, as we usually do, due to the COVID restrictions and with the borders closed to non-Israelis. So, we intend to do a second camp in Israel as soon as possible,"
Froome isn't the only new signing, as the Israeli squad have brought in Classics rider Sep Vanmarke, all-rouder Daryl Impey, punchy climber Michael Woods, and time trialist Patrick Bevin, among others.
"We need to give them the chance to train and learn how to achieve their different goals together. It is critical, with so many new riders and the new goals we have in front of us," said team manager Kjell Carlstrom.
Froome was due to begin his build-up to the Tour de France in Argentina at the Vuelta a San Juan for the first time in his career, but it is unclear as to whether the race is even going ahead with teams dropping out due to Covid-19.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Hi, I'm one of Cycling Weekly's content writers for the web team responsible for writing stories on racing, tech, updating evergreen pages as well as the weekly email newsletter. Proud Yorkshireman from the UK's answer to Flanders, Calderdale, go check out the cobbled climbs!
I started watching cycling back in 2010, before all the hype around London 2012 and Bradley Wiggins at the Tour de France. In fact, it was Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck's battle in the fog up the Tourmalet on stage 17 of the Tour de France.
It took me a few more years to get into the journalism side of things, but I had a good idea I wanted to get into cycling journalism by the end of year nine at school and started doing voluntary work soon after. This got me a chance to go to the London Six Days, Tour de Yorkshire and the Tour of Britain to name a few before eventually joining Eurosport's online team while I was at uni, where I studied journalism. Eurosport gave me the opportunity to work at the world championships in Harrogate back in the awful weather.
After various bar jobs, I managed to get my way into Cycling Weekly in late February of 2020 where I mostly write about racing and everything around that as it's what I specialise in but don't be surprised to see my name on other news stories.
When not writing stories for the site, I don't really switch off my cycling side as I watch every race that is televised as well as being a rider myself and a regular user of the game Pro Cycling Manager. Maybe too regular.
My bike is a well used Specialized Tarmac SL4 when out on my local roads back in West Yorkshire as well as in northern Hampshire with the hills and mountains being my preferred terrain.
-
-
'The darkest day in British cycling' - British riders mourn loss of AT85 Pro Cycling
Matt Bostock says Tim Elverson run squad ‘gave him confidence’ to take next step in his career, Alex Richardson says British Scene has lost ‘a platform’ for young riders to develop
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Customers of failed cycle firm told to claim from credit card companies
Moore Large entered administration earlier this week after over 70 years in business
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
'Rough day' for Chris Froome after crash and punctures kill best chance of victory since 2018
The 37-year-old was up the road in a solo move for over 50km at the Tour du Rwanda on Thursday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Chris Froome highlights dangers of long Covid after battle with virus
Four-time Tour de France champion warns of cardiovascular impact and says his VO2 max took a hit after illness
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Chris Froome labels WorldTour relegation a ‘death sentence for many teams’
Four-time Tour de France winner says UCI points system needs overhaul as Israel-PremierTech face relegation from the WorldTour
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Chris Froome still holds out hope for fifth Tour de France win
Israel-Premier Tech rider says the dream is "always there"
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Alex Dowsett to retire from professional cycling
33-year-old Israel-Premier Tech rider says his future is still going to be on two wheels, just not in WorldTour
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Dylan Teuns moves mid-season to Israel-PremierTech
Belgian rider moves to new team from Bahrain Victorious in unusual mid-season transfer
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Chris Froome out of Tour de France after positive Covid-19 test result
Four-time winner and third on Alpe d’Huez stage forced to abandon on stage 18
By Tom Thewlis • Published