The local government of Tenerife has confirmed that the Vuelta a España will not visit the Canary Islands next September. However, they are still interested in bringing the Spanish Grand Tour to the island, and according to local media, conquering Spain's highest peak, Mount Teide, is also a possibility.
The 2026 Vuelta was scheduled to finish on the islands, covering both Tenerife and Gran Canaria. However, with the Gran Canaria government opposing the participation of the Israel–Premier Tech team, the tour's first visit to the popular tourist destination since 1988 has now been postponed indefinitely.
According to AS, a deal to bring the race to the islands was almost done, but a change of heart from the Gran Canaria Island Council completely thwarted the plans. Their decision came after this year's Vuelta was disrupted by pro-Palestinian protests against the presence of Israel-Premier Tech in connection with the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.
As a result of huge public pressure, the team recently rebranded and will start racing under a Swiss license next year as NSN Cycling Team. Team owner Sylvan Adams is stepping down from day-to-day management of the team, but this has not affected the Spaniards' decisions.
Preparations were well underway for the Tour's visit to Tenerife, with one stage set to finish at the Teide Observatory at 2,390 metres above sea level - the highlight of the three-week race. Every year, many of the world's best cyclists train at altitude on the mountain, many of whom stay at the Parador hotel below the planned finish line.
The Tenerife municipality reportedly considered hosting the competition without the neighboring island's participation, but the costs proved too high, although they remain adamant that the project should be carried out in the future.
The stages of the 2026 Vuelta will be announced on December 17.
