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Publication BUSINESS DAY - SPORT Page Date AVE (ZAR) 21 Fri 07 Aug 2020 42775.12 Impey goes full circle to join up with Froome ® South African to ride with former teammate in Israel Start-Up Nation team in 2021

Kevin McCallum

On July 8 during the eighth stage of the 2013 , on the road from Castres to the fin- ish at the A3 Domaines ski station, rode alongside his friend Daryl Impey for a spell. Impey was spending his sec- ond day in the yellow jersey, the first African to have worn the colours of the Tour leader. Froome was favourite to win the day's stage and the Tour. The road was headed up. Froome told Impey they were going to go for the jersey that day. Impey shrugged. He knew it was going to happen. Just more than seven years later, it was announced this week Impey would join Froome at the Israel Start-Up Nation (ISN)teamin 2021. Impey will be part of the team's leadership group with an emphasis on assistingFroome in -- H: the 2021 Tour de France, possi- bly as road captain. M '( [ \ # 4 "I decided to make a fresh t sale start. I feel like I need to step out of the comfort zone of Mitchel- Impey's time at Mitchelton- New team captain I will be given me by his side I appreciated that ton-Scott" Impey said in a team Scott saw him twice win the beginnings: more responsibility and a huge and knew he meant it. "I have statement. "I had great success , take two Daryl Impeyis challengeat the same time. known him a long time and our with the team, formed many stagesof the Tour de France -an leaving the "Team ISN has moved careers have nearly come full strong friendships and made individual stage in 2019 and a Mitchelton- through the ranks very quickly circle. We started together at amazing memories. I can't thank in 2013 - and Scott team and now it's about trying to cre- Barloworld and are continuingat them enough for getting me this wear yellow. after nine ate a winning culture. I will use ISN. I know he can win another far in my career." "It certainly wasn't an easy years./Reuters my experience over the past Tour de France, and it will be It brings to an end a success- decision; I gave it a great deal of decade to instil this in the great to not only be part of that ful nine-year relationship with thought. But it's exciting to work younger guys and make surewe team but to play an important _ Mitchelton-Scott that many with a new team, with new are always progressing. I'm role," said Impey. - believed would see the 35-year- energy and new ambitions," excited about it." "Daryl has shown in the past old South African end his career said Impey. Froome, who was team- that he can be very valuable to a with the Australian team. "The most crucial reason is mates with Impey at the SA- team, both in a support role and _ Indeed, Mitchelton-Scott the challenge that is waiting for sponsored Barloworld outfit when goingfor personal results," value Impey so much they had me at ISN. After speaking with from 2008 to 2009, was the said ISN GM Kjell Carlstrom. been hoping he would sign a ICA co-owner Sylvan Adams driving force behind Impey "In Daryl we have a rider contract extension with them. and the team's management, I moving to Team ISN. who can be a leader in some There are reports from inside got the sense they see other "It's not often you get to race races and a team captain in the team that they had still been aspects of me as a bike rider. with one of the greats, so when others. He's also bringing with holding on to the chance Impey "I will have the opportunity to Chris called me and said he him a wealth of experience that would not leave. play a leadership role, and as a trusts me and would like to have we can benefit from."