Pune, 19 January 2026: The Pune Grand Tour 2026 officially began today with the prologue stage held on Fergusson College Road, marking the city’s first-ever international-level cycling event of this scale.
Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar flagged off the opening rider, Pune's cyclist Sachin Desai from the India Development Team. Desai, who hails from Pimpri-Chinchwad, had the honour of starting the race, drawing loud cheers from spectators lining the route.
Large crowds gathered along Fergusson College Road to support riders from India and abroad. The excitement was evident as Punekars turned up in big numbers, creating a festive atmosphere and showcasing the city’s enthusiasm for international sports.
The prologue featured an 8-kilometre individual time trial, a crucial stage that determines starting positions for the upcoming stages of the tour. Because of its impact on the overall race, the opening event holds high importance for all participants.
Speaking about the event Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi said that “delivering such a grand race in the shortest period of time was a big challenge we have taken in our hand and we are proud that Punekars and administration of Pune came together and they have delivered this race successfully.”
He also praised the Police Department, Pune Municipal Corporation, along with the health and other departments, for their coordination.
A young spectator from the crowd summed up the public mood, saying he felt both excited and nervous as such a large international race was happening in Pune for the first time, and watching global riders and professional teams up close was a new and thrilling experience.