Chris Froome Left Off Israel-Premier Tech's Tour de France Roster

Chris Froome, a four-time champion, has been omitted from Israel-Premier Tech’s Tour de France team for the second consecutive year. The British cyclist, who hasn’t claimed a victory since 2018, finished 81st in the recent Criterium du Dauphine, a traditional gauge of form before La Grande Boucle. Challenges, including a wrist fracture in March’s Tirreno-Adriatico marked the start of his season and he didn’t start racing again until May. In the meantime, Welshman Stephen Williams secured a spot on the eight-man team targeting stage wins after he became the first British rider in 88 years to triumph at La Fleche Wallonne earlier this season.

The team also includes Britain’s Jake Stewart and Canada’s Derek Gee, who both made notable performances at the Dauphine. Froome’s recent Tour showings saw him finish in 133rd place in 2021 and withdraw due to Covid in 2022 after 17 stages, finishing 26th in the general classification. Chris Froome joined Israel-Premier Tech in 2021, hoping to return to peak fitness following a career-threatening crash in 2019. Team owner Sylvan Adams has scrutinized Froome’s tenure and questioned its value for the UCI Pro team. Froome, who has one year remaining on his contract after this season, won seven Grand Tours during his decade-long stint with Team Sky.

These victories include the Tour de France in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Giro d’Italia in 2018 and the Vuelta a Espana in 2011 and 2017.