Team Israel Start-Up Nation Cyclists Hosted At Beit Hanasi (Photo Essay)

By BJLIfe/Sharon Altshul
Posted on 11/07/21

Jerusalem, Israel - Nov. 7, 2021  - On Sunday morning in Jerusalem, at Beit Hanasi, President Isaac Herzog welcomed Team Israel Start-Up Nation professional cycling team and its owners Sylvan Adams and Ron Baron on their homecoming to Israel after a two-year absence because of the COVID-19.

The cyclists, headed by Chris Froome, the four-time winner of the Tour de France, were presented to the President and spoke of their recent successful season, with 17 victories, including at some of the world's biggest cycling tournaments.

The President welcomed the forty cyclists as they rode up from the front gates to the President's Residence.

President Herzog congratulated the cyclists: “I hope you’ll be the number one team in the world, and in fact, I trust that you will be.” He added: "When the Giro d’Italia took place in Israel, my family was standing on street corners sending videos to each other, and it was an awesome event.”

Adams responded the team is aiming to be in the top-five in the world in 2022.  He proudly explained, “This is the first Israeli team in history, in any sport, to play at the highest league of its sport. We are in the World Tour, which means the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and all the big races. We are bringing the team here to introduce them to their home country, to understand what Israel is, and to experience it. We are ambassadors for the nation. Our brand is Israel and we carry the name Israel everywhere.”

Speaking for the cyclists, Froome told the President about the team’s recent ride through the Judean Hills and said: “One of our biggest goals is to really inspire the Israeli nation and especially the young, up-and-coming cyclists, the new generation. Our vision is being realized right now.”

Guy Niv, a 27-year-old cyclist was the first Israeli to complete the Tour de France: “I am proud to be part of a team that began not long ago, with the vision of an ambitious man who wanted to put Israel on the map of global cycling. I am proud to be part of a team that has become a small ambassador for Israel, placing Israel in a positive international spotlight showing its beautiful side. I am proud to be part of a team that gives hope to young athletes, to dream big. When I was 13, I dreamed big, I dreamed of the Tour de France and asked my parents to take me to see the contest for my bar mitzvah. Thirteen years later, I realized my dream as the first Israeli to compete in the Tour de France and reach the Arc de Triomphe on the Champs Elysées.”

President Isaac Herzog congratulated Niv on the achievement and said: “You give us an incredible sense of pride, and we wish you much success.”

Finally, President Herzog was presented with a surprise gift, a cycling jersey signed by all the members of the Israel Start-Up Nation team.

Adams was instrumental in bringing the Giro d’Italia to Jerusalem in 2018.  Thousands of people came to support and report on the 176 riders of the 22 participating international teams, which included Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. At a press conference prior to the Giro d’Italia, cycling promoter Adams told of his vision for Israel and Giro d’Italia, the first Giro d’Italia to be held outside of Europe.

A billion viewers were reported to have watched the televised events as the cyclists, after Jerusalem, went north for Stage 2, from Haifa-Tel Aviv. Then south from Beer Sheva to Eilat for Stage 3, the 229-kilometer ride through the desert, where along the way, Bedouin came out from their tents to watch the cyclists race by.

Before the official Giro time trials started, a special ride in memory of Italian cyclist hero Gino Bartali began on the streets near Jerusalem's Mamilla Mall. Italian-speaking tour guides were in demand, however, English was the main language for the Giros d'Italia run in Israel.

Israel Start-Up Nation (ISN) was established in 2015 as Israel’s first professional cycling team (then named Israel Cycling Academy). The team aims to give young athletes from Israel and other countries the chance to develop their skills as riders and take their first steps on the road towards professional cycling. In 2021, ISN launched an initiative called “Racing for Change,” which touches on issues such as the environment, rider safety, and social projects.