Pune has etched its name into Indian sporting history with the successful hosting of the country’s first-ever UCI 2.2 professional cycling race, the Pune Grand Tour. India’s entry into elite professional cycling was sealed in Pune this week, as the city hosted the country’s first UCI 2.2 race. The Pune Grand Tour not only completed a successful debut but also opened the door to a long-term future for pro cycling in India, with officials hinting at a return and higher status soon.
Race Director Jamaludin Mahmood and CFI Secretary General Maninder Pal Singh both agreed that the Pune Grand Tour has put the city on the world cycling map. The event drew praise from international teams and highlighted India’s capacity to stage professional races at a global standard. For many officials and riders, the four-day tour is not an end but a beginning a stepping stone towards bigger, higher-profile events and a sign that Pune, and India, are emerging as a serious destination in the world of cycling.
Echoing the sentiment, Cycling Federation of India (CFI) Secretary General Maninder Pal Singh called the Pune Grand Tour a landmark moment for Indian sport. “This will go down in history as one of India’s greatest stories related to cycling and sports in general,” he said.
Singh pointed to the overwhelming public response as proof of the event’s success. “When you have five lakh people turning up, numbers speak for themselves. Pune provided the finest infrastructure for over 170 riders from 35 countries,” he said.
According to Singh, feedback from teams and riders has been overwhelmingly positive. “Players and teams have told us this is better than Europe. There was an article in a French newspaper that said this event is at par with the Tour de France,” he added.
Calling the achievement a collective triumph, Singh said, “This is history. We should be proud of what we, as citizens of this country, have delivered.”
Looking ahead, he hinted at bigger ambitions. This is just a stepping stone he told, "there are much bigger things in store—for Pune, for India, and for cycling,” Singh said, adding that the city has reclaimed its identity as India’s bicycle capital through the successful hosting of the Grand Tour.
While Europe remains the traditional stronghold of professional cycling, the Pune Grand Tour has made it clear that India is ready to shoulder larger responsibilities.
Race Director Jamaludin Mahmood praised the Pune Grand Tour as a world-class event, saying, “For the Pune Grand Tour, this is one of the best races in the world. We are only 2.2, but our quality is more than 2.2,” and added, “We will be one of the best races in the world within the next three years—we can promise that.” He also said the race has put Pune on the global map, noting, “Everyone now knows where Pune is and what Pune is,” and expressed hope the event will return to India, saying, “India is going to be one of the cycling attractions in the future.”
The tour’s rapid execution was driven by an administrative push led by Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi, with support from Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Infrastructure upgrades and logistics meeting UCI standards were completed in under 90 days, an effort that impressed both international teams and officials.
