In a milestone for Indian athletics and heritage tourism, the city of Pune is set to host the inaugural Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026. Scheduled from January 19 to 23, the event marks India’s first-ever UCI 2.2 Continental multi-stage cycling race, bringing elite global competition to the challenging terrain of the Deccan plateau.
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The five-day, 437-km race will feature 171 elite cyclists representing 29 professional teams from 35 countries. Organised by the Pune District Administration with support from the Government of Maharashtra, the event aims to blend high-endurance sport with the rich legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The race is structured into one prologue and four distinct stages. The course has been strategically designed to showcase the diverse landscapes of the region, winding through ancient heritage sites and the grueling ascents of the Western Ghats.
District Collector Jitendra Dudi, chairing a high-level review meeting, emphasized that the Deccan plateau's unique geography would provide a world-class test for the international field. "The success of this race depends on effective coordination among police, health services, and the PWD," Dudi stated, noting that mock drills are scheduled for January 12 and 18 to test preparedness.
Given the scale of the event, the district administration has issued strict directives to ensure a "clean, obstacle-free, and safe" route:
Medical readiness: The Health Department has identified fully equipped hospitals within a 25km radius of every stage. Ambulances and medical teams will be stationed at strategic deployment points.
Stray management: Dedicated teams from the Forest and Animal Husbandry departments, alongside local volunteers, will ensure rural stretches remain free of stray animals.
Road strengthening: The Public Works Department is currently undergoing deep cleaning and asphalting of key stretches, particularly along State Highway 131.
To facilitate the final stages of road strengthening (specifically on the Kondhwa–Saswad–Veer Road), the following diversions are in place:
Affected stretch: Yewalewadi Kaman to Bapdev Machi (km 1/600 to km 6/550).
Diversion route: Vehicles travelling from Saswad toward Kondhwa must use the Palkhi route via Fursungi–Saswad–Dive Ghat.
Timeline: Temporary closures in Haveli taluka will continue through January 14 to allow for full-width paving works.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | January 19 – 23, 2026 |
| Total Distance | 437 km (1 Prologue + 4 Stages) |
| Sanctioning Body | UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) 2.2 |
| Participants | 171 Riders |
| Key Themes | Endurance, Deccan Heritage, Shivaji Maharaj Legacy |
The race has tried its best to accommodate a cultural integration. Awareness drives are being conducted in villages along the route to sensitize residents, who are being encouraged to welcome the international cyclists as they pass through rural Pune. The Food and Drug Administration will also be inspecting quality control for beverages and food available along the 437-km stretch.
As the city prepares for its grand debut on the international cycling map, the focus remains on micro-level planning, to the last detail, in order to put Pune on the global stage of professional racing.