Israel's Startup Nation (open in new tab) announced that it has signed Michael Woods (open in new tab) from EF Pro Cycling (open in new tab) for 2021. The Canadian climber is the latest big name to join the team and will be part of Chris Froome's (open in new tab) support team at next year's Tour de France (open in new tab).

Woods has spent the last five years in the EF/Slipstream setup since returning to the pros in 2016, winning a stage of the Vuelta a España and Milan-Torino. Along with Dan Martin, he is the team leader for the Ardennes and Italian Classics at the Israeli Startup Nation.

"It's been a great five years with Slipstream Sports. But at the end of the day, Paulo [Saldanha] and Sylvain [Adams] believed in me from day one."

"With Chris Froome and the other great riders we have signed, I believe ISN has the potential to not only win the Tour de France next year, but to win throughout the entire World Tour calendar.

"For me, it is very exciting to be riding with the best GC riders of this generation at the Tour. And with Dan Martin already on board, we will be able to build on our winning combination in the Ardennes and the Italian Classics."

The move to ISN is also a reunion for the 33-year-old Canadian. Team Performance Manager Paulo Saldaña coached Woods in 2013 when he was fighting to turn pro and later coached him.

"Thanks to Paulo and Sylvain, I am a pro cyclist today," Woods said. 'I first met Paulo in 2013 and immediately took him under my wing. He pushed me to quit my job (working as a bank teller and in a bike store) and told me I had the ability to become a pro.

"Because of my age (27 at the time), I was too old to receive government grants or be part of a development team. It was difficult to justify quitting my job. However, Paulo connected Sylvain and me. With their support and belief, I was able to rise through the ranks of cycling and reach the highest levels of the sport."

Woods, who returned this summer from a broken femur suffered in Paris-Nice (open in new tab), became ISN's latest signing in the transfer market. He joins Flume, Daryl Impey (open in new tab) (Mitchelton Scott), Carl Frederick Hagen (open in new tab) (Lot Soudal), and Patrick Bevin (open in new tab) (CCC Team), who will join the Israeli team.

Adams, the team's co-owner, said Woods would be an important superdomestique for Froome, noting that he would also get a free role leading the team in certain races.

"I am especially pleased to welcome Mike Woods to ISN. I've known him since before he turned pro and have watched his development as a rider."

"He will be an integral part of Chris Froome's Tour de France next year and will be equally important as a team leader in the classics and monuments... Welcome to ISN Woody, we are delighted to have him on board and look forward to working with him in the future.

In addition to adding five new riders to the team so far, ISN has also announced eight contract extensions in recent months. James Piccoli, Rick Zabel, Tom Van Asbroeck, Andre Greipel, Mads Wurz Schmidt, Jente Biermans, Matthias Brendl, and Alexander Catalford have signed two-year contracts to remain with the team.