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Call me Frummy: Tour de France winner Chris Froome is loving life in Israel

The British cyclist ate hummus and discussed his 'new chapter'

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TOPSHOT - Great Britain's Christopher Froome rides in the pack during the 13th stage of the 105th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, between Le Bourg-d'Oisans and Valence, on July 20, 2018. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo credit should read MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

Britain’s top Tour de France winner has appeared in a video speaking Hebrew and eating hummus to mark his move to the fledgling Israeli cycling team, Israel Start-Up Nation.

Chris Froome, 35, starred in the two-minute clip alongside Israeli cycling ace Guy Sagiv. The British star, who won the coveted yellow jersey four times, started the video by saying “my name is Froomy” in Hebrew, and ended it by saying “sababa” as he enjoyed the Israeli food.

In an interview, Mr Froome said the Israeli club was hoping to “replicate what Team Sky did for British cycling.”
His former team, now known as Ineos Grenadiers, encouraged generations of cyclists to get into the sport, he said in a video released by his new team for the 2021 season.

“This is something we’re hoping to replicate over in Israel and by doing so we’ll hopefully see a lot more young Israeli cyclists,” the British athlete said.

Mr Froome, who joined the Israel Start-Up Nation (ISN) squad after an 11-year stint with Ineos Grenadiers, sustained serious injuries in a crash in June 2019. He said he hoped to “get back to that top level” and fight for a fifth Tour de France victory.

“I’ve been focusing a lot this winter on really addressing some of those imbalances and weaknesses I’ve had from the injury,” he said. “I’m feeling really optimistic about the upcoming season.”

He acknowledged the move had been “a pretty big decision”, but said he felt an “immediate connection” with owner Sylvan Adams when they met.

“His passion was clear to see,” the cycling ace said. “Changing at this point in my career... we agreed that joining ISN is a commitment I’m not just going to make for a year or two.”

Mr Froome added that he expected to remain with the Israeli team for the rest of his career, and “potentially even beyond”. The athlete said: “It’s a whole new change. It’s a new project, It’s a new chapter, it does feel quite rejuvenating for me.”

The winner of seven Grand Tours had been set to make his debut in blue-and-white at the Vuelta San Juan race in Argentina this month, which was cancelled due to Covid.

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