Chris Froome’s Israel-Premier Tech given 2023 Tour de France wild card along with debutants Uno-X

Published 04/01/2023 at 21:04 GMT

Four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome could make his 11th appearance at the race this year after his Israel-Premier Tech team were given a wild card, along with Scandinavian outfit Uno-X. Having been relegated from the WorldTour at the end of last season, Israel-Premier Tech will not be given automatic places for any of the Grand Tours. However, they will be at the Tour.

Top five close cycling finishes 2022

Israel-Premier Tech and Uno-X have been awarded wild cards for the 2023 Tour de France, meaning Chris Froome could compete at this year’s race for the eleventh time.

The 18 WorldTour teams and two best ranked ProTeams, Lotto Dstny and TotalEnergies, make up 20 of the 22 squads at the Tour, with event organisers choosing two wild cards to complete the roster.

And they have chosen to select Israel-Premier Tech, who were relegated from the WorldTour at the end of last year, and Uno-X, who will be the first Scandinavian team to take part in the race since Danish outfit Saxo-Tinkoff in 2013.

Tour de France

Froome: Another Tour stage win would be an amazing way to end my career

10/04/2024 at 10:20

Sylvan Adams, owner of Israel-Premier Tech, says they are looking forward to returning to the Tour, which takes place from July 1-23.

“We hope to build on our success of last summer where we won two stages, including one of the most difficult on the mythical cobbles of the Paris-Roubaix course,” said Adams.

“Israel-Premier Tech was one of only six teams that won at least two stages at last year’s race, and we will be hunting for more success in the 2023 edition.

"We will be dangerous and strong, I promise, and hope to bring winning joy to our many fans around the world, and especially in Israel.”

As for Uno-X, it’s a monumental moment for the team as they have never raced at a Grand Tour.

“We are extremely proud, humble, and grateful for the invitation,” said general manager Jens Haugland.

“The Tour de France is the ultimate dream, and just being a part of this is a victory for the team.

“One of our long-term goals is to be able to fight for the top positions in Tour de France in the future. We see no reason to think that this isn’t possible.”

The 2023 Tour de France will begin in Bilbao, Spain and can be streamed live on Eurosport and discovery+.

Tirreno - Adriatico

Vingegaard storms to Stage 5 victory at Tirreno-Adriatico, Froome withdraws

08/03/2024 at 15:23

Tirreno - Adriatico

'I'd really like to get back there' - Froome hopes to get to Tour in 'best shape possible'

05/03/2024 at 17:07

Tour de France

Froome has not been 'value for money' for Israel-Premier Tech - Adams

14/07/2023 at 07:10

Join 3M+ users on app

Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports

Download

Scan me