Israel Start-Up Nation in talks to sign Chris Froome, Greg Van Avermaet and Jasper Stuyven, according to reports
The Israeli WorldTour team have ambitious plans to sign star riders
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Israel Start-Up Nation is reportedly in talks with Chris Froome, Greg Van Avermaet and Jasper Stuyven in the hopes of signing star riders.
The Israeli WorldTour team is on the hunt for big names after making its debut in cycling’s top tier this year.
Chris Froome, four-time winner of the Tour de France, is coming to the end of his contract with Team Ineos and rumours have suggested he might be considering a change, while Israel Start-Up have not denied their interest.
According to Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws (opens in new tab), the team’s billionaire owner Sylvan Adams is keen to sign Froome while the management are also intalks with Classics specialists Van Avermaet and Stuyven.
Van Avermaet currently rides for CCC Team, but has said he would consider a transfer as his current outfit face an uncertain future.
Polish handbag company CCC has announced it will be pulling out at the end of the season.
Stuyven, winner of the 2020 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, is coming to the end of his contract with Trek-Segafredo, and is another possibility for Israel Start-Up Nation as they want to improve their Classics roster.
The Israeli team was formed in 2020 after the Pro Continental outfit Israel Cycling Academy took over the remains of the Katusha-Alpecin squad.
Their line-up currently includes André Greipel, who has signed for another two years, Dan Martin, and Alex Dowsett.
Earlier this year, Cycling Weekly investigated the story behind the team.
Bernard Hinault, five-time winner of the Tour de France, has suggested Froome should leave Team Ineos if he doesn’t win the Tour this year.
Froome missed out on the 2018 Tour to team-mate Geraint Thomas, after winning the Giro d’Italia just a few weeks before.
The seven-time Grand Tour winner was then absent from the 2019 Tour, having suffered an awful leg break at the Dauphiné.
The 35-year-old says he’s back to full strength however and is eager to race the rescheduled Tour de France from late August.
>>> Bigla-Katusha squad has been saved as new sponsor steps in with four-year deal
While the speculation may have originated from Froome’s camp as the rider looks improve the terms of his next contract with Team Ineos, can Israel tempt the seven-time Grand Tour winner away from his long-standing squad?
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
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Fan-first, gamified bike racing: the NCL readies for its debut as domestic teams get on board
Ever since the National Cycling League (NCL) announced its formation last fall, the big question has been: who will race in this all-new approach to American bike racing?
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Bradley Wiggins says he suffered ‘borderline rape’ during three years of 'abuse' by coach
Speaking on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, Wiggins says he now “hates cycling” and only ever used the sport as a distraction
By Tom Thewlis • 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