Chris Froome will make his Israeli Startup Nation debut at the Vuelta a San Juan in January. The four-time Tour de France winner will use the season opener to start his campaign in his new team colors after leaving Ineos Grenadiers over the winter.

Froom has never participated in a stage race in Argentina before, but the event has grown in recent years, with several World Tour teams using it as an alternative to the Tour Down Under.

The Vuelta a San Juan has taken on added importance this year as the Australian race was cancelled due to a lack of World Tour teams coming to Australia and quarantine due to COVID-19.

"This race marks the beginning of a long-awaited new chapter in my career. I am looking forward to racing with my new teammates and starting the adventure that lies ahead," Froome said in a press release issued by his new team.

The eight-day race is often a mix of mountain stages and sprinter-only stages, but despite the favorable terrain, Froome does not use this event as an indicator of success. His team is also relieved of pressure, and the new GC leader insisted that he will not be targeting the overall standings during his stay in South America.

"He's not going to Argentina to win races, he's going to Argentina to win races," said Froom. We see this as a great opportunity for Chris to begin the build-up process to peak for the season ahead."

The rest of Froom's race calendar has yet to be announced, but he is expected to race the Criterium du Dauphiné, Tirreno-Adriatico, and Paris-Nice, the traditional prelude to the Tour de France.

According to Kjell Carlström, the team's general manager, the team will train at the Vuelta a de San Juan and build relationships with new leaders.

"It's an important season for the team and for Chris, and the Vuelta a San Juan is the perfect place to start the season, with the atmosphere and the weather," Carlström said.

"Chris will be able to get a feel for his new teammates in the short camp before the start and build relationships throughout the race. It is always important to race together as a team and this race setting is a great platform for that."

While Froome is building form in this race, the Israeli Startup Nation team is also looking for a stage win. Sprinter Rudy Barbier won the opening stage in 2020, and Guy Niv will be looking for a mountain stage and an uphill finish. Tom Van Asbroeck, Alex Catalford, and Patrick Bevin complete the team lineup.

"The Israeli Startup Nation team, which has competed in the Tour of San Juan three times, is excited to kick off the 2021 season in Argentina again. Chris Froome has been training hard and this will be his first opportunity to represent ISN as he races in our blue and white colors and gets back in shape," said team co-owner Sylvan Adams.