Pune is set to witness a landmark moment in Indian sport as the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 flags off on January 19, marking the country’s first-ever UCI 2.2 category multi-stage continental road race for men.
Classified under the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) framework, the event represents India’s official entry into the global professional cycling calendar and a decisive step towards long-term professionalisation of the sport.
The inclusion of the Pune Grand Tour in the UCI calendar comes at a time when Asia is rapidly emerging as a growth hub for elite cycling. Increased investment in infrastructure, athlete development, and international exposure has steadily shifted the sport’s centre of gravity eastward. For India, hosting a UCI-classified stage race signals intent not just to participate, but to be a credible host and competitor in global road cycling.
Beyond prestige, the stakes are tangible. As a UCI 2.2 event, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour will offer valuable ranking points that contribute directly towards qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. For Indian riders, this provides a rare opportunity to earn Olympic qualification points on home soil, eliminating the logistical and financial barriers often associated with racing abroad.
The race begins with a 7.5 km prologue at Goodluck Chowk, an individual time trial that will determine the initial general classification standings and set the tone for the days ahead. From there, the peloton will tackle four demanding stages that test sprinting speed, climbing ability, tactical intelligence, and endurance across the varied terrains of Pune and the Western Ghats.
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Despite the late withdrawal of Morocco’s Sidi Ali Unlocks Sports Team, the race still boasts an unprecedented start list. A total of 164 riders from 28 teams, representing 35 countries across five continents, will line up for the inaugural edition. Remarkably, this makes the Pune Grand Tour one of the largest fields ever assembled for a UCI 2.2 race, where participation typically hovers around 120–130 riders. Asia leads representation with 78 riders, followed closely by Europe with 69, alongside teams from Oceania, the Americas, and Africa a clear indicator of the race’s global appeal.
On the competitive front, Spain’s Burgos Burpellet BH enter the race as the standout favourites. Ranked 29th in the world, they are the only ProTeam-level squad in the field and bring experience from top-tier races, including the Vuelta a España. Challenging them will be China’s Li Ning Star and Malaysia’s Terengganu Cycling Team, both highly ranked continental outfits expected to be in contention for the inaugural Pune Trophy.
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India’s challenge will be spearheaded by a strong national team lineup featuring experienced riders such as Sahil Kumar, Dinesh Kumar, Surya Thathu, Vishwajeet Singh, Harshveer Singh Sikhon, and Naveen John. Complementing them is the Indian Development Team, a crucial inclusion that provides younger riders with exposure to elite race dynamics. This two-team approach reflects a deliberate focus on both immediate competitiveness and long-term growth.
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For Indian cyclists, the Pune Grand Tour represents a transformative opportunity. Racing against international teams on familiar roads allows riders to experience professional peloton tactics, race pacing, and team strategies at a level rarely accessible domestically. Such exposure is expected to play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between India’s domestic racing ecosystem and the demands of the global circuit.
The route itself has been designed to showcase both sporting challenge and regional identity. Stage 1, the 87.2 km Mulshi–Maval Miles, weaves through Pune’s IT hub of Hinjewadi, combining flat sprint sections with sharp urban turns. Stage 2, the 105.3 km Maratha Heritage Circuit, is expected to be decisive, featuring steep ghat climbs around Purandar Fort, Sinhagad, and Khadakwasla Lake. Stage 3, the 134 km Western Ghats Gateway, stretches across the Deccan plateau from Purandar to Baramati, demanding tactical awareness amid rolling terrain and crosswinds.
The race concludes with Stage 4, the 95 km Pune Pride Loop, a technical urban circuit passing historic landmarks such as Shaniwar Wada, setting the stage for a dramatic finale.
At the end of the tour, the winners will be awarded a hand-crafted copper trophy created by Pune’s renowned Tambat Aali coppersmiths. Inspired by the eight historic forts that line the race route and the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the trophy symbolises the deep cultural connection between the event and the region it traverses.
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The success of the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour has been underpinned by a rapid and extensive infrastructure overhaul. In just 75 days, roads across the district were upgraded to meet stringent UCI safety standards, forming part of a broader initiative to improve long-term urban and rural connectivity. Beyond cycling, these upgrades establish a sustainable blueprint for future sporting events and reinforce Pune’s identity as India’s traditional “Cycle Capital.”
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As the countdown begins, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 stands as more than a race. It is a statement of ambition, signalling India’s readiness to host world-class cycling events, support elite competition, and carve a lasting place on the global sporting stage.
