Why the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 Could Redefine India’s Place in Global Road Cycling

India is set to host its first UCI 2.2 Men’s Elite road cycling race in Pune, with the five-day Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 drawing teams from four continents and placing the country on the international cycling map.

Pune | December 13, 2025: India’s sporting calendar is preparing for a landmark event as Pune district gears up to host the country’s first-ever UCI 2.2 Men’s Elite Continental Team road cycling race, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026. Scheduled from January 19 to 23, the multi-day race will officially open the international cycling season with a four-stage competition spread across 437 kilometres.

The event has already generated strong global interest, with nearly 28 teams expected to participate, including four national teams from leading cycling nations. India will field two teams, India A and India B, marking a significant step for domestic cyclists to compete against international riders on home terrain.

Conceptualised by the Pune District Administration with support from the Maharashtra government, the race route has been designed to showcase the district’s diverse landscape. Cyclists will pass through urban centres, rural stretches and heritage-rich zones, offering a varied and technically demanding challenge.

The four stages include the Mulsi–Maval Miles on Day 1, a 91.8-kilometre flat route with sharp urban turns. Stage 2, the Maratha Heritage Circuit, spans 109.15 kilometres and features steep ghats with views of Purandar and Sinhagad forts. The longest leg, Stage 3, the Western Ghats Gateway, covers 137.07 kilometres across rolling terrain and crosswinds. The final stage, Pune Pride Loop, is a 99.15-kilometre circuit passing prominent city landmarks, including Shaniwar Wada.

District officials have confirmed interest from cycling teams representing countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. According to the district collector, the Union Cycliste Internationale has extended support to the initiative as part of its efforts to promote cycling in emerging markets.

Officials believe the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour will position Pune as a global cycling destination while contributing to tourism, sports infrastructure development and increased youth participation in competitive cycling across India.

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