Israel’s cycling federation has expressed aspirations to host the start of the prestigious Tour de France, linking any potential bid to the achievement of stable peace in the region, even as a team previously associated with the country faces rebranding due to protests.
The country’s cycling president, Dafna diz Lang, affirmed the long-term ambition despite current geopolitical challenges. “I can’t say now that we are going to apply, but we have never stopped dreaming of doing so,” Lang said.
She further suggested that such large-scale projects depend on regional stability. “I believe that, as soon as we have stable peace, we will carry out many world-class projects. We are very optimistic people; we have already brought the Giro, anything is possible,” Lang added.
This idea is backed by Israeli-Canadian billionaire Sylvan Adams, who was formerly the patron of the Israel cycling team. Israel successfully hosted the opening stages of the Giro d’Italia in 2018, providing a precedent for its capability to stage a major international cycling event.
However, the close of the recent cycling season saw significant protests against the “Israel” World Tour team. Disruptions occurred during several races, notably the Vuelta a España (Tour of Spain), where some stages, including the final one in Madrid, were affected.
These protests have led the team to announce a name change for the 2026 season. It is expected to compete under a new designation, seemingly without any direct association with Israel.