Pune Grand Tour 2026 Set to Transform Pune into Global Cycling Hub
Pune
Pune will host the city’s first UCI 2.2 international stage cycling race from 19–23 January 2026. Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar announced the event to boost sports tourism and cycling culture.
Pune| 30 October, 2025: In a landmark announcement, the Maharashtra government declared that the Pune Grand Tour 2026 will be held from 19 to 23 January 2026 as an elite international cycling event. The race, classified as a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) 2.2 stage competition, will draw professional cyclists from India and abroad, offering a rare platform for top-level competitive cycling in the country.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the event as part of Pune’s evolution from “education and IT hub” to a global sports-and-tourism destination. He said: “With the Grand Tour, Pune will gain a new identity as a cycling city.” Deputy Chief Minister and Guardian Minister of Pune, Ajit Pawar, emphasised the broader potential: “Cycling is more than a sport – this marks a turning point for Pune, Maharashtra and India.”
The route, spanning approximately 437–439 km, will traverse urban stretches, hill terrain of the Sahyadris and rural landscapes, highlighting Pune’s diverse geography and infrastructure. Organisers highlight that this race could tie into global sporting ambitions, possibly helping Indian cyclists aim toward the 2028 Summer Olympics.
Officials are already mobilising infrastructure upgrades – from resurfacing roads to installing safety systems – to meet international racing standards. The event is expected to catalyse sports-tourism growth, boost local economy, and spur cycling culture among youth. As Ajit Pawar put it, the Grand Tour will be a “festival of health, employment, tourism and development.”
With preparation underway, Pune aims to showcase that India can host world-class cycling events and position itself on the global sports map.
