Pune, 21 January 2026: Race Director Jamaluddin Bin Mahmood has described his experience in Pune as a pleasant surprise, saying the city exceeded his expectations on every front.
Speaking about his first impressions, he said that before arriving he was unsure how he would manage, but Pune’s welcoming people, good food, and overall atmosphere left a strong impression on him.
He said the public response to the Prologue race was particularly surprising and encouraging. According to him, the Pune Grand Tour 2026 is not just another sporting event, but a race with the potential to become one of the biggest in the world. He believes it will grow to a level that goes beyond India and Asia and earn global recognition.
Explaining his responsibilities, Mahmood said the role of a Race Director is to ensure the race runs smoothly, with every aspect of planning and execution falling under his responsibility.
He credited the Pune Police Department, the Public Works Department, and all officials and volunteers involved for their strong coordination and support, which helped in successfully organising the race.
While there were a few logistical challenges, he said these were similar to what is seen in much larger countries and were handled efficiently.
Highlighting infrastructure development, Mahmood called the construction of 437 kilometres of new roads within just three months a remarkable achievement. He added that in the coming five years, the Pune Grand Tour is expected to establish itself as one of the world’s leading cycling races.
He also expressed confidence that the race will change how people in Pune view cycling. He said that earlier, many residents were not aware of professional cycling races, which is why they did not feel connected to the sport. Now that they have seen and experienced the race, he believes people will grow to love cycling and look forward to the Pune Grand Tour every year.
Mahmood also shared that the race direction team consists of 43 members, all from Malaysia and Indonesia, who worked together to ensure international standards in race management and safety.
Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 is India’s first-ever UCI 2.2 category multi-stage, five-day Continental Cycling Race for Men, marking a milestone in India’s global professional cycling presence. The 437-km route spans the Deccan Plateau and Sahyadri Ranges, featuring 171 elite riders from 29 teams across 35 countries.
