Chris Froome, the four-time Tour de France winner, has stated his intention to honour his current contract with the Israel Start-Up Nation team. Froome signed a five-year deal with the team in December 2020 and is determined to see it through, despite reports of potential interest from other teams.
Speaking to Cyclingnews, Froome emphasised his commitment to the Israeli team, saying, “I’m fully focused on my current team and seeing out my contract with Israel Start-Up Nation. I made a commitment to them, and I intend to honour it. I believe in their project and want to contribute to their success”. His team boss Sylvain Adams said that he hadn’t been value for money, something that was a known risk to most cycling fans when the contract was initially signed. There has been the odd strong result, such as 3rd on Alpe d’Huez in last year’s Tour de France. He also recently went viral on social media with the below clip:
Rumours had suggested that Froome was considering a move to another team, or maybe being pushed out of his current contract, as he has struggled to regain his form following a serious crash in 2019. However, the British rider dismissed these speculations, saying, “I understand that there will always be rumours and speculation in the cycling world, but I want to make it clear that I am not seeking a move at this time. My priority is to fully recover from my injuries and get back to my best form.”
Froome’s injuries from the crash, which occurred during a recon ride of the Criterium du Dauphine, were severe and required multiple surgeries. The road to recovery has been long and challenging for the 36-year-old, but he remains determined to achieve his goals. “I have had to overcome many obstacles in my career, and this is just another challenge that I am working through,” Froome said. “My focus is on my rehabilitation and preparing for the next races. I want to thank Israel Start-Up Nation for their continued support during this time.”
Froome’s commitment to his current team comes as no surprise, given his history of loyalty and dedication. He spent the majority of his career with Team Sky/Ineos Grenadiers, with whom he won four Tour de France titles. His move to Israel Start-Up Nation was seen as a fresh start and an opportunity to contribute to the development of a new team. While Froome’s results since joining the team have not been as impressive as in previous years, he remains optimistic about his future. “I know that I have the ability to compete at the highest level,” he stated. “It’s just a matter of time and hard work to get back to where I want to be.”
As Froome focuses on his recovery and his current contract, cycling fans will undoubtedly be eager to see the British rider return to top form. With his determination and proven track record, there is no doubt that he will give it his all to achieve his goals with Israel Start-Up Nation.
