Israel eyes future Tour de France Grand Départ
Despite a season marked by protests against the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech team in international events, the president of the Israeli Cycling Federation has suggested that Israel could bid to host the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in the future.
The president of the Israeli Cycling Federation has suggested that Israel could bid to host the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in the future.
Israel previously hosted the Grande Partenza of the 2018 Giro d’Italia, an initiative that was backed by the Canadian businessman Sylvan Adams, owner of the Israel-Premier Tech team.
Israeli participation in international sport has been the subject of increasing protest over the past two years amid the country’s invasion of Gaza. More than 68,000 people, most of them civilians, have been killed since Israel invaded Gaza in response to the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks, which killed more than 1,000 people. A ceasefire was declared on October 11, though the death toll in Gaza has continued to rise.
“I can’t tell you right now that we’re going to bid for the Tour de France or organise it, but we never stop dreaming,” Lang told L’Équipe. “I can’t speak for Sylvan Adams, but I believe that once we have a stable peace, we will realise many projects at the highest level by welcoming the world. We are very optimistic people. We’ve already brought the Giro here, so anything is possible.”
Lang’s comments come after a season in which the Israel-Premier Tech team was the focus of repeated human rights demonstrations in protest at Israel’s invasion of Gaza. The final stage of the Vuelta a España was cancelled due to pro-Palestine protests, while Israel-Premier Tech withdrew from a number of races in Italy due to the risk of further disruption.
Barcelona, the host of the 2026 Grand Départ, indicated that it would not host the Tour if the Israel-Premier Tech squad were present.
The team has since confirmed that it will “rename and rebrand” in 2026, moving away from its Israeli identity. Adams will “step back from his day-to-day involvement and will no longer speak on behalf of the team.”
In April 2024, Adams had indicated to La Voix sépharade that he was in discussions with ASO about an Israeli Grand Départ, though the Tour de France owner did not publicly confirm the talks.
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