Israel Start-up Nation
Looking for: Stage win and top-10 overall for Dan Martin
Launched in 2014 to foster Israeli cycling talent and bankrolled by Israeli-canadian businessman Sylvan
Adams, the team has progressed rapidly from tier-two status to the Worldtour. When the Russian outfit Katusha folded last year, Israel Start-up Nation snapped up half a dozen of their riders and filled its spot on the Worldtour.
One-day specialist Nils Politt is the only former Katusha alumnus to make it onto this Tour de France squad. Much interest will be on the star signing from UAE, Dan Martin, who never really gelled with the Italian-run team and the Irishman will be determined to put the last two years behind him. At 33 his powers as a climber and GC rider should still be formidable and if he can finish consistently on the eight summit finishes he could make the top six overall.
Martin has two stage wins in the Tour, and in recent years overall placings of sixth, ninth and eighth. This will be his eighth Tour and with 15 Grand Tours behind him, he is one of the most experienced and respected stage racers of his generation. The team is also notable for including ex-mountain biker Guy Niv, who will become the first Israeli to ever ride the Tour de France.
STAR: Dan Martin (Irl)
It’s not that long ago that Martin was a fancied rider at the Tour, with podium ambition. Moving from UAE to Israel could be the morale boost he needs to rekindle his Classics and stage-winning talent. Still in his early 30s the Irishman is suited to the hilly route and will be expecting to improve greatly on last year’s below-par Tour ride.
HITTER: André Greipel (Ger)
The early-season training crash that resulted in a broken shoulder blade is a long way behind him now, and the team will value his experience in their Tour debut. ‘The Gorilla’ is a popular rider for good reason and will draw interest in the team, even if his big bunch winning days are behind him.