Pune, 20 January 2026: India’s first-ever continental multi-stage road race, the Pune Grand Tour 2026, got underway on Monday afternoon with an action-packed Prologue stage from Goodluck Chowk near Deccan Gymkhana.
The opening ride set the pace for the five-day event and offered the first glimpse of international and Indian riders competing on the same platform.
Fergus Browning of Terengganu Cycling Team, Malaysia, delivered a strong performance in the Prologue to blaze the early trail in the race. Among Indian cyclists, Asian Championship medallist Harshveer Singh impressed with his speed and composure, emerging as the leading Indian rider and giving a solid start to the India Challenge contingent.
Attention now turns to Tuesday’s Stage 1, titled the Mulshi–Maval Miles. The stage will flag off from TCS Circle in Hinjewadi Phase 3 and cover a distance of 87.2 kilometres with a total elevation gain of 828 metres. This stage is expected to provide the first real test of endurance, teamwork, and race strategy.
The route passes through Pune’s prominent IT hub before moving into the scenic Mulshi–Maval region. Riders will face a mix of flat sprint sections, sharp urban turns, and rolling terrain. The changing landscape, combined with technical corners, is likely to influence early breakaways and team tactics.
With the Prologue setting the competitive tone, Stage 1 is expected to play a key role in shaping the general classification. As the race moves beyond the city into challenging terrain, teams will be keen to assert control and establish early advantages in what promises to be a landmark week for Indian cycling.
