Cycling: now it is! Chris Froome will no longer wear Ineos' shirt next season. The Brit is moving to Israel Start-Up Nation.
Chris Froome wants his 5th tour win
Bang on Thursday! As the Ineos team announced on their website, the contract of Chris Froome not extended. Just a few minutes later, Team Israel Start-Up Nation announced to the public that the Brit will be signed from 2021. The four-time Tour de France winner is turning his back on the British team after eleven years. However, the now 35-year-old Chris Froome will try again at the Tour of France, which starts on August 29, to win the fifth tour with his current team.
Ineos Team Manager Dave Brailsford:
“Chris has been with us from the start. He's a great champion and we've shared many memorable moments together over the years. But I believe this is the right decision for the team and for Chris. Given his achievements in the sport, it's understandable that he wants to remain the sole leader of the team in the next chapter of his career - which we can't guarantee at the moment."
11 years Sky/Ineos
With the move from Chris Froome to the Israel Start-Up Nation, an era ends for Team Sky and Ineos. The Briton was part of the team from the start and won the Tour de France four times, the Giro d'Italia once and the Vuelta a Espana twice. There were also numerous stage victories and successes in one-week tours. This makes Chris Froome one of the most successful professional cyclists since the turn of the millennium.
Chris Froome:
“It's been a phenomenal decade with the team. We have achieved so much together and I will always remember that. I look forward to exciting new challenges as I move into the next phase of my career. But until then, my focus is on winning a fifth Tour de France with Team Ineos.”
How strong is Chris Froome?
Even if Chris Froome will still contest this year's Tour de France for Team Ineos, it is unclear in what role he can do so. Within the team, the Brit is faced with huge competition, which is why the team management decided against extending the contract. With Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal, Ineos has the two last year's tour winners in its own ranks and with Richard Carapaz the reigning Giro winner. Furthermore, there is uncertainty as to how well Chris Froome will feel about his Crash at the Critérium du Dauphiné 2019 has recovered. Since then, the Brit has only ridden the UAE Tour, which he only used to build up his form. Nevertheless, his new client seems to remain convinced of Chris Froome's ability to perform.
Israel Start-Up Nation owner Sylvan Adams:
“With Chris, we will rise to new heights and reach the pinnacle of this sport. I would like to add that I admire Chris not only for his success as a professional cyclist, but also for how he otherwise behaves as a true gentleman. Chris will be a great role model for our team.”
Team INEOS confirms we will not be renewing @chrisfroom's contract - so after 10 great years this season will be Chris's last with the team.
- Team INEOS (@TeamINEOS) July 9, 2020