The Israel Cycling Academy will be sponsored by Tel Aviv non-profit Start-Up Nation Central and compete in the premier World Tour under the brand-name “Israel Start-Up Nation.”

The Israel Cycling Academy comprises 30 riders from 16 countries including four Israelis and has twice competed in the Giro D’Italia, another major cycling World Tour.

The team is owned by Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams, who brought the start of the Giro d’Italia to Israel in 2018. He said: “The dream of competing in the Tour de France, almost unthinkable when we launched the team, is now coming true.

“Around 3.5 billion viewers in hundreds of countries will see the Israeli flag and hear the message that this is a country bringing unrivalled innovation to the world.”

Through Start-Up Central, Israeli tech companies will work to provide the team with a unique edge, including lightweight metals, personalised diets and performance analysis.”