Pune, 23rd January 2026: The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 concluded on Sunday with a vibrant city finale, as the Pune Pride Loop brought colour, crowds and celebration to a week that firmly placed Pune and India on the global cycling map.
The final stage witnessed the presence of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Bollywood actor and producer Aamir Khan, whose arrival sparked a wave of excitement among spectators lining the course. Khan, widely regarded as a cultural icon who inspired generations of Indians to take up cycling through his film Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, was a fitting guest for the first UCI-recognised race of this scale to be held in Pune.
Addressing riders before the stage, Khan offered words of encouragement, signing off with the film’s iconic line, “Have a great race… aani jo jeeta wahi sikandar.” He later congratulated the Pune administration for what he described as a “wonderful job” in organising the event. He also interacted with fans, posing for selfies and soaking in the atmosphere.
Speaking to a cheering crowd after the race, Khan said, “Jai Pune, Jai Maharashtra, Jai Bharat. Pune has truly done India proud by hosting this wonderful event.” He also praised the city’s residents, adding, “The people of Pune have shown great discipline, respect and love for all the cyclists.” Khan expressed hope that the tour would return on an even bigger scale next year.
On the road, Stage Four unfolded over a 95-kilometre circuit through the heart of Pune, featuring 578 metres of elevation and passing key landmarks, including Shaniwar Wada, before bringing the race to its conclusion.
After four stages and 437 kilometres of racing, Li Ning Star (China) topped the Team General Classification with a combined time of 28:41:19, led by the dominant performance of Luke Mudgway. The successful hosting of the UCI 2.2 event marked a significant milestone for Pune, reinforcing its growing reputation as a destination for world-class sporting events.
The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 came to a rousing close on Sunday with a colourful city-centre finale, as Luke Mudgway delivered a commanding performance to lead Li Ning Star (China) to overall glory. The final 95-km Pune Pride Loop, winding past the city’s historic and modern landmarks, capped four demanding stages and 437 kilometres of racing.
Mudgway, the 29-year-old from New Zealand, emerged as the undisputed champion of the inaugural edition, securing the Yellow Jersey from Stage 1 and never relinquishing it. Victories on the opening two stages gave him a decisive advantage, while his consistency also earned him the Green Jersey as the race’s top points scorer. He finished just 14 seconds ahead of Alan Carter Bettles (Thailand), with Yorben Lauryssen (Belgium) third overall.
Li Ning Star topped the Team General Classification, underlining their dominance, while Burgos Burpellet BH and Terengganu Cycling Team completed the podium. Stage 4 honours went to Aliaksei Shnyrko of Li Ning Star, providing a fitting end to a highly competitive week.
A UCI 2.2 event offering Olympic ranking points, the Pune Grand Tour showcased India’s ability to host elite multi-stage racing and signalled a promising new chapter for professional cycling in the country.