Prefer Jewish News on Google
Former Hamas hostage rides through Paris with Israeli team at Tour de France finale
Ofer Calderon cycles up the Champs-Élysées just months after release from Gaza captivity: “This is a victory – but not complete”
An Israeli hostage held underground by Hamas for 484 days has made an emotional return to public life – by cycling up the Champs-Élysées in Paris with Israel’s national team ahead of the Tour de France final stage.
Ofer Calderon, 60, was kidnapped with his son Erez during the 7 October attacks and spent over a year in captivity, much of it in darkness. He emerged from Gaza in March as part of a rare hostage release. On Sunday, in fulfilment of a promise made while he was still imprisoned, Calderon rode a bicycle through central Paris, cheered on by Israel-Premier Tech (IPT), the country’s only elite professional cycling team.
“I’m still in shock that I’m here,” Calderon said. “I’m so emotional. But I’m also torn – this joy can’t be complete while hostages are still in Gaza and our soldiers are dying.”
The appearance came just hours before the Tour’s elite riders completed the final sprint. Calderon joined team owner Sylvan Adams and co-founder Ron Bar-On for the ride, fulfilling a pledge made at a solidarity ride led by Erez Calderon earlier this year at the Israeli velodrome. That event sparked a wave of international ‘Ride for the Hostages’ events in cities around the world.
“This is so symbolic– but it won’t be a full victory until they all come home,” said Adams, who embraced Calderon at the Arc de Triomphe. “We brought him here to call for that – from this enormous stage.”
Calderon’s journey through Paris marked his first time in the city. “Everything looks so big… so wide… so many people,” he said, visibly overwhelmed. “But hope kept me going in Gaza. I believed I’d get out. I believed I’d ride again.”
His son Erez was freed in November 2023, during the first exchange deal. Ofer remained in captivity until this year. The two have trained and raced together before 7 October.
Close friend and cycling clubmate Shai Reva, who joined Calderon in Paris, described the ride as part of his emotional healing. “Ofer hasn’t finished returning to life. But riding through Paris, smiling again – that’s his personal victory over evil.”
Calderon raised his arm in the air as he cycled past the cheering crowd, a gesture of freedom and resilience. “I’m still the same Ofer,” he said. “I didn’t give up. And now I’m here.”
Israel-Premier Tech, competing in its sixth consecutive Tour de France, dedicated its 2025 campaign to the hostages still held by Hamas. Team cars and buses carried the names and faces of captives, and riders participated in global awareness efforts throughout the race.
“This team proudly wears Israel’s name on its jersey,” said Adams. “We’ve been embraced by fans across France, proving the power of sport to bring people together. A handful of protesters tried to disrupt the race, but their noise was drowned out by the warmth we received at every stage.”
IPT’s 2025 squad featured standout performances by Michael Woods, Joe Blackmore, Krists Neilands, Pascal Ackermann, and Jake Stewart – but for many, Calderon’s ride before the final stage was the defining image of the race.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
