Movistar and Caja Rural to Race in 2026 Tour de France Starting in Barcelona

Published on January 30, 2026 | Translated from Spanish
Photograph of the cyclists from the Movistar Team and Caja Rural-Seguros RGA teams competing in a cycling race, with their characteristic jerseys.

Movistar and Caja Rural will race in the 2026 Tour de France starting in Barcelona

The entity that organizes the Tour de France has published the list of the 23 teams that will take the start in the 2026 edition. The competition will begin on July 4 from Barcelona, marking a historic start on Spanish soil. Among the confirmed teams, two Spanish formations stand out, a fact not seen in several seasons 🚴‍♂️.

Spanish teams return to being two in the French round

The Movistar Team secures its presence as part of the 18 UCI WorldTeams with guaranteed spots. The big novelty is the inclusion of Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, which receives a direct invitation from A.S.O. to debut in the world's most important race. This returns to the competition the representation of two Spanish teams, a circumstance uncommon in recent years.

Keys to Caja Rural's participation:
  • Achieves the invitation after consolidating a solid 2025 in the UCI world rankings.
  • It will be their first appearance ever in the history of the Tour de France.
  • Their presence, along with Movistar's, increases local interest in the start from Barcelona.
The 2026 Tour de France will begin in Barcelona and will have two local teams, generating excitement that rivals the tactical complexity of following both in the race.

A Grand Départ with a Catalan seal

The start of the race, known as the Grand Départ, will take place in the Catalan city. The first three stages will be held entirely in Catalan territory, an unusual format for a race that traditionally starts in France. After this Spanish prologue, the peloton will cross the border to tackle the classic route through the French country.

Characteristics of the start in Spain:
  • Start date: July 4, 2026.
  • Starting city: Barcelona.
  • Duration in Spain: Three full days in Catalonia.

A favorable scenario for Spanish cycling

This context, with the start in Barcelona and the double Spanish representation, creates a unique scenario. It offers a platform of enormous visibility for the riders of both teams. The A.S.O. organization thus rewards the continued performance of the Navarre team, while the Tour de France prepares for a start full of excitement and anticipation in southern Europe 🇪🇸.