Pune, 7th January 2025: Pune is entering into the global sporting spotlight with the inaugural Bajaj Pune Grand Tour, scheduled from January 19 to 23, 2026.

The UCI 2.2 Continental multi-stage cycling race will feature 171 professional cyclists from 29 teams representing 35 countries across five continents, making it a historic first for Indian cycling.

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Organised by the Pune District Administration with the support of the Government of Maharashtra, the five-day event will cover a total distance of 437 kilometres, including one prologue and four competitive stages.

The race route has been designed to highlight Maharashtra’s varied landscapes, ranging from Pune’s urban heart to the challenging climbs of the Sahyadri foothills and the open stretches of the Deccan plateau.

The overwhelming international response underlines Pune’s growing stature on the professional cycling map. Teams from major cycling nations such as France, Belgium, Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, China, and Thailand have confirmed participation.

Asia will have the largest presence, while Europe, Oceania, Africa, and the United States will also be represented, giving the event a truly global character.

What sets the Pune Grand Tour apart is its scale. While UCI 2.2 races generally allow a peloton of up to 125 riders, Pune will host 171 cyclists, setting a new benchmark in this category.

The field will also include an Indian team of six riders selected through the National Championships, offering domestic talent a rare opportunity to compete at an international level on home soil.

Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi described the event as a major milestone for both Pune and Maharashtra, saying the race reflects India’s readiness to host world-class sporting events. He noted that the Grand Tour is not just a competition but an effort to build a long-term cycling legacy and reclaim Pune’s historical identity as a city of cyclists.

Technical Director Pinaki Bysack highlighted that attracting such a large and diverse peloton in the very first edition is unprecedented in global cycling. He said the response from international teams reflects confidence in Pune’s terrain, organisation, and technical standards, adding that managing an event of this scale requires world-class planning and infrastructure.

The four stages of the race will test every aspect of a cyclist’s ability. Riders will pass through IT corridors, historic forts, ghats, lakes, plateau roads, and the city’s iconic landmarks, finishing with a dramatic urban loop through the heart of Pune. Each stage is designed to challenge endurance, speed, strategy, and technical skill.

• Stage 1 – Mulshi–Maval Miles
  Distance: 91.8 km | Elevation Gain: 956 m

• Stage 2 – Maratha Heritage Circuit
  Distance: 109.15 km | Elevation Gain: 1,466 m

• Stage 3 – Western Ghats Gateway
  Distance: 137.07 km | Elevation Gain: 820 m

• Stage 4 – Pune Pride Loop
  Distance: 99.15 km | Elevation Gain: 560 m

With the world watching, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 is expected to be a turning point for Indian cycling. For Maharashtra, it is a statement of sporting ambition, showcasing its landscapes, administrative capability, and vision to become a hub for international endurance sports in the years ahead.

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