The Pune Grand Tour 2026 kicked off with riders from 35 countries on Saturday. The stage 1 of the five-day, 437-km race will begin on January 20 and will run until January 23.
Pune, 17th January 2026: The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 was officially declared open today by the Honourable Chief Minister of Maharashtra Mr. Devendra Fadnavis, marking the commencement of India’s first-ever UCI 2.2 category multi-stage Continental Cycling Road Race.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by key dignitaries including Mr. Murlidhar Mohol, Honourable Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Government of India; Mr. Chandrakant Patil, Honourable Minister for Higher and Technical Education, Government of Maharashtra; and Ms. Madhuri Misal, Honourable Minister of State for Urban Development, Transport, Social Justice and Medical Education, Government of Maharashtra, along with senior officials from the Pune District Administration and State Sports authorities.
Welcoming riders from over 35 countries to Pune, the Chief Minister described the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 as more than just a sporting event, calling it a statement of Maharashtra’s ability to deliver world-class infrastructure and international-standard sporting ecosystems at unprecedented speed.
Congratulating the Pune district administration and officials across departments, Devendra Fadnavis noted that the preparation of 437-kilometres of race-ready roads, along with safety systems, logistics and a complete cycling ecosystem aligned with UCI standards, had been achieved in record time- a pace of execution not witnessed in the last three decades.
Mr. Devendra Fadnavis said: “The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour represents the future of Indian sport. What typically takes decades has been accomplished in months, with international-standard infrastructure created at a pace not seen in the last 30 years. This is not merely an event for today – it is a pathway to a legacy envisioned 75 years ahead and beyond. Pune, a district where history meets the future, will now be recognised globally as a destination for world-class sport, tourism and culture,”
Assuring full support from the Government of Maharashtra, the Chief Minister reiterated the state’s commitment to providing the best possible ecosystem for riders, teams and officials, while ensuring safety, hospitality and world-class event delivery.
He concluded by wishing all riders the very best and calling upon them to compete in the true spirit of sportsmanship. “Let us come together to celebrate cycling – one of the world’s oldest, yet most modern sport; together we will make the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour a global success,” concluded Mr. Devendra Fadnavis.
Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 is India’s first-ever UCI 2.2 category multi-stage, five-day Continental Cycling Race for Men, marks a watershed moment for the India’s presence in the global professional circuit. A gruelling 437-km route passes through the diverse terrains of Deccan Plateau and Sahyadri Ranges, the event has received an unprecedented field of 171 elite riders from 29 teams representing five continents and 35 countries. Organised by Pune District Administration, Government of Maharashtra under the aegis of Cycling Federation of India, the race combines high-performance sporting excellence, celebrating Pune’s cultural heritage, historic landmarks and rural tourism through 9 talukas and 150 villages.
Race Stages
19 Jan 2026: PROLOGUE (7.5 KM) – GOODLUCK CHOWK: Team’s pole position
20 Jan 2026: STAGE 1: MULSI-MAVAL MILES (87.2 KM, Elevation 828 M): Weaving through Pune’s IT hub Hinjewadi, this opening stage combines flat sprints with sharp urban turns, focusing on landmarks and scenery, blending tech with nature.
21 Jan 2026: STAGE 2: MARATHA HERITAGE CIRCUIT (105.3 KM, Elevation 1051 M): Cyclists will ascend the challenging ghats, facing steep gradients of the Purandar Fort, Sinhagad and Khadakwasla Lake, making the Day-2 a true test of endurance.
22 Jan 2026: STAGE 3: WESTERN GHATS GATEWAY (134 KM, Elevation 1024 M): Stretching across the Deccan plateau from Purandar to Baramati, Day-3 favours speed and tactical prowess, with crosswinds and rolling terrain to keep competitors on edge.
23 Jan 2026: STAGE 4: PUNE PRIDE LOOP (95 KM, Elevation 578 M): The final phase winds through the urban sprawls of Pune, passing through modernity and historic relevance like Shaniwar Wada, featuring technical sections and a dramatic finish.
End of Article
