Israel Startup Nation's Guy Niv will make history when he lines up in Nice on August 29 as the first Israeli to start the Tour de France.

Teammate Guy Sagiv (who was the first Israeli to complete a Grand Tour when he raced the Giro d'Italia in 2018) will head to the Italian Grand Tour once more in October, while Omer Goldstein will make his Vuelta a España He will make his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a España.

Dan Martin is expected to lead the Israeli Startup Nation team, and veteran sprinter Andre Greipel is also likely to be part of the eight-rider team. The team has not yet finalized its full lineup. Chris Froome will join Israel Startup Nation in 2021.

Niv also competed in the 2018 Giro, but was forced to retire on stage 5 due to illness. However, he returned to the race in 2019 and was able to complete the race, finishing 113th overall in Verona.

"I am honored to represent my country and team in the Tour, the greatest race in cycling and one of the greatest sporting events in the world,"

Niv said in a team press release announcing his participation in the Tour on Wednesday.

"And to be the first Israeli to do it," as cliché as it may sound, a dream come true. I get goosebumps just thinking about it. It's a big deal. It's something I've always wanted to do, and now I'm about to make history. I can't wait."

Team co-owner Silvan Adams said, "This is a proud moment for Israel, for Israeli sports, and for me. Since last November, when I learned that our Israeli team would compete in cycling's biggest race for the first time in 2020, I have publicly stated that we would make history by being the first country to represent Israel in the Tour and the first to compete in the Tour de France. I am proud that Guy, who has worked hard in the best conditions of his life, has earned this position."

"The fact that these young Israelis have been selected for all three Grand Tours is a clear indication of ISN's confidence in them to compete in the biggest race in the world...Best wishes to all three," Adams said.

Niv added that he hopes his participation in the Tour will attract the attention of potential young riders around the world, especially in his home country.

"I hope that my participation in the Tour de France will inspire Israeli kids to choose cycling as a sport," the 26-year-old climber said.

"After hosting the Giro d'Italia (in 2018), we started to see growth in Israeli cycling, and now comes the next big step.

"Just the thought of being in the race gives me goosebumps, and it means even more because I get to do it for a country I love and it's a chance to show a beautiful side of Israel," Niv said.