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The Israel-Premier Tech professional cycling team kicked off its fifth appearance in the Tour de France cycling race yesterday, with riders tackling a hilly 206-kilometre opening stage taking them through the heart of Florence and on to Rimini.

Three injured heroes from the October 7 attacks, who came to support the team in the world’s greatest cycling race, stood at the starting line. They held signs bearing the names of hostages, some of whom are their close friends, and called for their release.

“My friends from the kibbutz are suffering there. We can’t wait another moment,” said Avida Bachar, with tears in his eyes. Bachar is one of the great symbols of the tragedy and resilience of Be’eri. He lost his son and wife, who were murdered in their shelter in Be’eri on the morning of October 7th, while he himself was severely injured and lost his leg. Despite adapting to his prosthetic, Bachar insisted on riding his bike for the first time since his injury and led the Israeli team in their final training session yesterday before today’s race start. “It was an immense moment, one of the most emotional of my life,” said Bachar, who used his presence at the Tour de France to call for the release of the hostages.

 

“Avida and Sharon will be our great inspiration at the Tour de France,” said Sylvan Adams to the team riders before the race started.

The Tour de France will last three weeks, during which the riders will cover 3,400 kilometres.  Twenty-two teams are taking part in the 21-stage race, culminating in Nice on July 21. The Israeli team hopes to achieve their fourth victory in the Tour.