Froome to leave Team INEOS at end of season
Multiple Grand Tour winner Chris Froome will leave Team INEOS at the conclusion of the current season to join Israel Start-Up Nation for the 2021 road cycling campaign.
Team INEOS confirmed on Thursday that they will not be renewing Froome’s contract at the end of this season. Team Director Sir Dave Brailsford announced it on the team's website.
"Chris’s current contract comes to an end in December and we have taken the decision now not to renew it," Brailsford said. "We are making this announcement earlier than would usually be the case to put an end to recent speculation and allow the team to focus on the season ahead."
Froome joined the team in 2010 and played a critical role as he won four Tour de France titles with the team and will take part in this year's edition for Team INEOS which gets underway on 29 August.
"Chris has been with us from the start. He is a great champion and we have shared many memorable moments over the years but I do believe this is the right decision for the Team and for Chris."
A serious injury last year went a bit of the way in Froome losing his spot as the leader of the team with the likes of Geraint Thomas and young Egan Bernal - both of whom are Tour de France champions.
"Given his achievements in the sport, Chris is understandably keen to have sole team leadership in the next chapter of his career - which is not something we are able to guarantee him at this point," Brailsford added.
"A move away from Team INEOS can give him that certainty. At the same time, it will also give other members of our Team the leadership opportunities they too have earned and are rightly seeking.
"I am excited about the talent we have right across the Team at the current time and all our collective focus is on preparing for the season ahead. Like everyone across the sport we are all looking forward to the start of racing next month."
Considering his pedigree Froome's change makes sense to move on but he remains focused on the current season.
"It has been a phenomenal decade with the Team, we have achieved so much together and I will always treasure the memories. I look forward to exciting new challenges as I move into the next phase of my career but in the meantime my focus is on winning a fifth Tour de France with Team INEOS."
