O Gran Camiño signals it will not invite Israel-Premier Tech in 2026
The organiser of O Gran Camiño has said the race does not intend to invite Israel-Premier Tech to its 2026 edition, making the Galician stage race the first to openly distance itself from the squad as Spanish opposition to the team grows.
Race director Ezequiel Mosquera told Spanish news agency EFE that “any organisation where they competed last year will be asking themselves the same questions we are,” after watching protests derail multiple stages of the Vuelta a España and draw public backing from Spain’s prime minister. Mosquera described the atmosphere at the Vuelta as “extremely tense” and said his own event, which was already targeted by demonstrators earlier this year, must act with “rigour” and “maximum objectivity.”
The move comes despite Israel-Premier Tech’s Derek Gee having won the 2025 edition of O Gran Camiño, held each February in Galicia. The Canadian has since terminated his contract with the team, while Israel-Premier Tech is expected to rejoin the WorldTour in 2026, granting it automatic entry to cycling’s biggest races but leaving its participation in smaller events, including O Gran Camiño, up to organisers. Mosquera added that O Gran Camiño may seek a calendar upgrade to ProSeries level as the UCI finalises its 2026 schedule at the World Championships in Rwanda.
