Protesting Widens Against the Possible Invitation of Israel-Premier Tech to the 2026 Race, as O Gran Camiño Stands Against the Move
In the world of cycling, the upcoming season is shrouded in controversy as several Spanish events and cities have expressed their opposition to the participation of Israel-Premier Tech, a professional cycling team.
The head of O Gran Camiño, Ezequiel Mosquera, has announced that the team will not be invited to participate in the 2026 race. Mosquera, who takes pride in what has been built by O Gran Camiño in just four years, has expressed his disapproval of the team's actions and described the protests at this year's Vuelta as 'extremely tense' and 'very difficult to manage' for riders, directors, and the organisation.
The decision comes after the Israeli team won the 2025 edition of O Gran Camiño, with Derek Gee taking the top spot. However, Gee has not raced for Israel-Premier Tech since the summer and has unilaterally terminated his contract.
The UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) is considering promoting O Gran Camiño to a ProSeries race in 2026, which would award more points and attract major teams. As a non-WorldTour race, O Gran Camiño has the freedom to choose which teams it invites.
The Spanish Prime Minister has publicly supported the ban of Israel from global sports, adding fuel to the fire. This stance has been echoed by the Barcelona Sports councillor, who has expressed that the city does not want Israel-Premier Tech at next year's Tour de France Grand Depart in the city.
The president of the Gran Canaria council has gone a step further, stating that the Spanish island would not host the expected final stages of the 2026 Vuelta if Israel-Premier Tech takes part in the race.
The controversy stems from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, with at least 64,000 people reportedly killed by Israeli attacks, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. In October 2023, a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel resulted in about 1,200 deaths and the taking of 251 hostages, sparking Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
Mosquera, however, has vowed to apply 'rigour' and 'maximum objectivity' in his decision regarding Israel-Premier Tech's participation in O Gran Camiño. He has also stated that he does not want the team to defend their victory in 2026.
The UCI is set to reveal the 2026 race calendars at the Road World Championships in Rwanda, where the future of Israel-Premier Tech in Spanish cycling events will likely become clearer.
