‘I can’t stand idly by’: Chris Froome to take part in Bring Them Home bike ride
British cyclist gives impassioned backing to international event next Sunday to remind the world of the hostages being held in Gaza
British Tour de France winner Chris Froome will be among tens of thousands of people expected to take part in a mass solidarity bike ride around the world next Sunday 14 January to mark the 100th day since the 7 October attacks and the kidnapping of hundreds of people to Gaza.
The #RideToBringThemHomeNow initiative will be held in several major cities including Tel Aviv, London, Paris, Melbourne and New York. Cyclists are encouraged to ride with yellow ribbons on their bikes and upload photos from the ride with the hashtag #RideToBringThemHomeNow.
The event is organised by Israel – Premier Tech, together with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum and the Israeli Cycling Federation.
Chris Froome, the four-time Tour de France winner and part of the Israel Premier Tech cycling team, said he was moved to action by the story of the Calderon family, whose father Ofer and 12-year-old son Erez, both cyclists, were abducted on 7 October. The son, Erez, was released after 51 days in captivity, but his father is still being held by Hamas.
“As a human being, as a father myself – I cannot stand idly by,” said Froome.
“Their suffering and that of all the other captives deeply affects me, and I call on all cyclists to come out for a solidarity ride that day – just as I will myself – in the hope that this show of support will bring them closer to returning home.”
Sylvan Adams, owner of the Israel – Premier Tech team, said: “I hope that January 14 will become a day of freedom. It will be a call from those who believe in human values to free those children, women, the elderly, and adults who were taken as hostages by the Hamas terrorists in complete contradiction to every human norm. Our freedom ride showcases our values of sportsmanship and fairness in contrast to the brutality of Hamas. I hope that a massive number of people join us internationally in this ride for freedom. Am Yisrael Chai.”
In London, hundreds of cyclists are expected to turn out in support.
Howard Kayman, who is organising the London event, said: “This will be an easy ride for those who haven’t been on their bikes for a while, some have even asked about getting a train back, that will be down to you and not a problem. It’s purely about us showing support and more importantly, being safe and helping each other on the ride with a mix of experienced and novice riders.
“The response so far has been amazing but not surprising due to the reason why we are doing this.”
For more information email HKayman@me.com
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