The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 delivered its first true test of endurance and tactical nous on Tuesday as Stage 1, the Mulshi–Maval Miles, unfolded across an unforgiving 87.2-kilometre route beginning at TCS Circle near Hinjewadi.
What followed was a high-speed examination of nerve, positioning and teamwork, ending with a thrilling sprint finish that underlined the depth and quality of the international field assembled for India’s first UCI 2.2 multi-stage road race.
As the peloton surged through sweeping grasslands, technical mountain descents and narrow stretches skirting the backwaters of Mulshi, it was Luke Mudgway of Li Ning Star, China, who emerged victorious. The Australian rider timed his effort to perfection, stopping the clock at 02:00:21 after a breathless dash to the line. Close on his heels was Andreas Matildas of Quick Pro Team, Estonia, who finished second in 02:00:27, while Belgium’s Yorben Lauryssen of Tarteletto–Isorex completed the podium in 02:00:30.
Under Union Cycliste Internationale regulations for 2.2 stage races, time bonuses of 10, six and four seconds were awarded to the top three finishers. In a race where margins are expected to remain razor-thin over the coming days, Mudgway’s bonus could prove decisive. The Li Ning Star rider was acutely aware of the importance of his win, both for the general classification and for team morale.
The Pune Grand Tour marks India’s first entry into the global professional cycling calendar.
Owing to its UCI classification the PGT2026 will offer riders the opportunity to earn valuable ranking points that count toward qualification for the LA 2028 Summer Olympics.
Photo by Brian Hodes / Veloimages / Sportzpics / PGT 2026
Reflecting on the stage, Mudgway described a race that was intense from the very first kilometre. The opening phase was brutally fast, with teams jostling for position as the road began to tilt upward toward the first categorised climb. Staying near the front, he explained, was essential as the peloton splintered into smaller groups. After cresting the climb, the race fractured further, setting up the decisive moments that would follow.
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Mudgway singled out the descent off the first categorised climb as the most challenging section of the day. Steep, technical and unforgiving, it demanded absolute focus. It was here, he felt, that the race truly took shape, as gaps opened and the eventual contenders separated themselves from the rest. Supported by two teammates in the final kilometres, Mudgway was able to unleash his sprint and finish the job for Li Ning Star.
The volatility of the stage was evident early on. Georgios Bouglas ignited proceedings by claiming the first intermediate sprint, edging out Tamar Spiero of Team Wielerploeg Groot Amsterdam and India’s Vishwajeet Singh. However, just minutes later, the race was temporarily neutralised for approximately 23 minutes following an on-road incident involving riders in the second group of the peloton. In line with UCI safety protocols, officials and the event medical team acted swiftly. All affected riders were assessed, and technical staff attended to damaged bicycles before racing resumed.
Once back underway, the Mulshi–Maval terrain began to extract its toll. The climbs became launchpads for attacks, with riders probing for weaknesses. France’s Killian Larpe of Sélection Nationale Team France Défense claimed maximum points at the first King of the Mountains checkpoint, but it was Cristian Raileanu of Li Ning Star who stood out for his consistency. By finishing among the top three at every mountain checkpoint, Raileanu amassed five points to claim the Polka Dot Jersey as the day’s best climber, further strengthening Li Ning Star’s grip on the stage.
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Honours were spread across the peloton as the race classifications began to take shape. Jambaljamts Sainbayar of Burgos Burpellet BH, Spain, emerged as the Best Asian rider, pulling on the Orange Jersey. Tamar Spiero was rewarded for his aggressive and intelligent riding with the White Jersey for best young rider. For the Indian contingent, Harshveer Singh Sekhon of the Indian National Team once again led from the front, finishing as the top domestic rider and earning the Blue Jersey, a significant marker of India’s growing competitiveness at this level.
By the end of Stage 1, Mudgway not only held the Yellow Jersey as overall leader but also topped the points classification, underlining the completeness of his performance. The opening road stage has already revealed the Pune Grand Tour as a race that offers little respite, blending speed, technical difficulty and tactical complexity.
Attention now shifts to Stage 2, the daunting Maratha Heritage Circuit. Spanning 105.3 kilometres with a punishing elevation gain of 1,051 metres, the route through Purandar Fort, Sinhagad and around Khadakwasla Lake promises an even sterner test of stamina and climbing ability. After a dramatic first road stage marked by speed, disruption and decisive racing, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour has made its intentions clear.
This is a race that will reward resilience and intelligence as much as raw power, and the battles for jerseys and overall honours are only just beginning.
