Happening for the first time, the Pune Grand Tour 2026 will mark India’s inaugural Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) 2.2 category multi-stage Continental road cycling race for men. Scheduled from January 19 to 23, the five-stage event will cover 437 kilometres and bring together 171 riders from 29 teams representing 35 countries across five continents.
As the Pune Grand Tour 2026 approaches, the Indian national cycling teams have touched down in Pune, marking the final stage of preparations for the country’s biggest international road cycling competition to date.
Naveen John from Bangalore will lead the Indian National Team and is the only Indian to have raced professionally for a UCI Continental team (State of Matter/MAAP, Australia). He said, "The opportunity to race in the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour on Indian roads, in front of home fans, is a proud moment for all of us. Competing in a UCI 2.2 stage race in India is a big step forward for the sport."
Joining them are several international squads, including Sidi Ali–Unlock Sports Team (Morocco), 7-Eleven Cliqq Roadbike Philippines, ASC Monsters Indonesia, Nusantara Cycling Team (Indonesia), EuroCyclingTrips-CCN (Guam), Schils Doltcini RT (Great Britain), and the Mauritius National Team.
With these teams alongside India’s National and Development squads, 171 riders from 35 countries will compete over five stages, cementing the Pune Grand Tour 2026 as a landmark event on the UCI cycling calendar.
The race, organised by the Pune District Administration with backing from the Government of Maharashtra and under the auspices of the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), will traverse 9 talukas and 150 villages, positioning Pune and India on the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) global calendar.
The CFI has announced that India will send two national teams to the event: the Indian National Team and the Indian Development Team. This move aims to expand the competitive pool and give both experienced and up-and-coming riders a chance to compete at a high international level on home ground.
The Indian National Team features Naveen John (Karnataka), Sahil Kumar (Haryana), Dinesh Kumar (Rourkela), Harshveer Singh Sekhon (Punjab), Vishwajeet Singh (Punjab), and Surya Thathu (Maharashtra), making up India's top national squad for the landmark race. The Indian Development Team consists of Sachin Desai, Niraj Kumar, Vivaan Sapru, Manav Sarda, Chirag Sehgal, and Akshar Tyagi, showcasing the future of Indian road cycling talent.
With Team India in Pune and the final touches falling into place, the Pune Grand Tour is shaping up to be a milestone for Indian cycling, bringing the world’s best riders to home roads for the first time.