Chris Froome with Ribbon (Credit: Israel Premier Tech)
The Israeli professional cycling team Israel – Premier Tech, together with The Hostage and Missing Families Forum and the Israeli Cycling Federation, announced this week that it will hold a mass solidarity ride around the world to mark the 100th day since the October 7 attacks and the kidnapping of hundreds of people to Gaza. Tens of thousands of cyclists are now expected to take part in the ride and in special cycling events held simultaneously at the Velodrome in Tel Aviv and several major capitals across the globe.
In Israel, the main riding event will take place at the Velodrome in Tel Aviv, where 133 family members of the hostages and cyclists from the Israeli cycling community, representing each of the hostages, will encircle the cycling stadium.
Chris Froome, the legendary four-time Tour de France winner, considered one of the greatest cyclists in history, has joined the campaign, calling on his millions of fans and the entire global cycling community to tie a yellow ribbon to their bikes on the 100th day of the kidnapping and to dedicate their ride to calling for the release of the hostages.
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“As a human being, as a father myself – I cannot stand idly by,” said Froome, who competes for Israel – Premier Tech, explaining that he was moved to action by the story of the Kalderon family, whose father Ofer and 12-year-old son Erez, both cyclists, were abducted on October 7. The son, Erez, was released after 51 days in captivity, but his father is still being held by Hamas.
“Their suffering and that of all the other hostages 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,” Froome said.
In Los Angeles, a Jewish/Israeli cycling club named “Team Israel,” led by 66-year-old Isaac Goren, swiftly initiated an ambitious operation with the objective of recruiting 136 riders to symbolize the 136 hostages. Within days, the small club received an overwhelming response, prompting the creation of an additional ride in Santa Monica and a planned helicopter flight carrying a “Bring Them Home” banner to fly above the riders. Isaac Goren said, “The response was enormous; they all want to be part of this initiative to see those hostages return to their families. It’s a humane message that everyone can relate to; it’s not political.”
Meanwhile, over 10,000 kilometers away in Melbourne, Australia, a similar enthusiasm has taken hold, with more than 350 riders already signed up for Sunday’s ride. Zady Lawrence, Executive Director of Zionism Victoria, said, “I am not surprised. The Jewish community has never been more engaged than in the days following October 7th.”
With over 240 captured on October 7, 133 people, including women and children, are still being held by Hamas, with the harrowing testimonies of released hostages causing great distress among many family members whose loved ones are still there.
“Since October 7, I have not had a day or night, just a continuous nightmare,” said Shai Benjamin, daughter of 57-year-old cyclist Ran Benjamin, who was taken hostage while out for his Saturday ride. “Everything haunts me. Thoughts of what they are doing to him there. How he manages to survive. How can I sleep when I have no idea if my father can sleep at all? When I want to eat, I am tormented by the question of whether he is starving there. And why do I deserve to cover myself with a blanket when he might be cold?”
