With just 72 hours to go until the start of India’s inaugural UCI 2.2 Continental Cycling Road Race – the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, Indian riders are ready to embrace the experience, learning, and take up the challenge that brings them to the brink of breaking into the international circuit.
India will field its largest contingent of 12 riders for the first time, as Pune hosts the country’s first-ever UCI-accredited road race.
Prior to the biggest home test, members of the Indian contingent, comprising of two teams of 6 riders each – the Indian National Team and Indian Development Team – spoke openly in a media interaction today about their preparation, expectations, and the pride of representing India at Bajaj Pune Grand Tour. The event was attended by Maninder Pal Singh, Secretary General, Cycling Federation of India (CFI), along with Indian National Team Chief Coach Maxat Ayazabayev and Coach Joginder Singh, along with Harshveer Singh Sekhon, Vishvajeet Singh, and Surya Thathu from the first National Team, and Akshar Tyagi and Manav Sarda from the Indian Development Team.
The five-day race, scheduled from January 19 – 23, 2026, carries added weight for the peloton. For the Indian riders, the opportunity serves as preparation for Olympic goals, as it allows crucial points accumulation for qualification to the Olympic Games in 2028.
Speaking at the event, Maninder Pal Singh, Secretary General, Cycling Federation of India, said, “The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour is a defining moment for Indian cycling. Securing a UCI 2.2 multi-stage race was not easy, and it reflects years of consistent work by the Cycling Federation of India to build credibility at the international level. This event opens a direct pathway for our riders toward Olympic qualification and changes how cycling is viewed by governments, sponsors, and stakeholders across the country. Hosting a race of this scale in India gives our athletes the opportunity to compete, learn, and progress into elite competitions.”
Maxat Ayazabayev, Chief Coach, Indian National Team, said, “It is extremely important for India hosting more and more such races for the development of our riders. The Pune Grand Tour will give our riders valuable race experience of an international standard on home roads. The routes, organisation, and overall preparation have been impressive, and we are hopeful of delivering strong results.”
Speaking on the magnitude of the event, Joginder Singh , Coach, Indian National Team, said, “The Pune Grand Tour is historic for Indian cycling. Now we have an international race in our own backyard, in our familiar conditions. We are prepared for the Pune Grand Tour, even though road racing is unpredictable, but we will evolve our strategies before, during and after each day’s race. With a strong mix of young and experienced riders in the Indian team, this UCI 2.2 event can be a real turning point for the growth of professional road cycling in India.”
Harshveer Sekhon of the Indian National Team added, “I don’t see racing at home as pressure; I see it as motivation. Competing on home roads, in front of our own people, gives me energy. This is my first experience of a stage race of this scale in India, and I feel honoured to be part of the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour. Our preparation has been strong, and we’re looking forward to performing well.”
Appreciating the opportunity to participate in the race, Surya Thathu of the Indian National Team said, “This is a huge moment for Indian cycling. Races like the Pune Grand Tour were something we once watched only on television, and to compete in a multi-stage race of this scale in India, especially in my home state of Maharashtra, is incredibly special. Racing in Europe is challenging, as riders have to manage all the logistics on their own. However, Pune Grand Tour feels different – here every aspect of our preparation has been well taken care of. It’s a big boost; our minds only have to worry about the race. More races like this will give young riders real opportunities, just as regular racing does in countries like Belgium.”
Speaking on the setup in Pune, Vishvajeet Singh, another member of the Indian first team, said, “When we arrived in Pune and inspected the routes, the quality of roads and overall organisation really stood out. The level of support provided to the teams, vehicles, logistics and infrastructure, is comparable to what we see in major international tours. Experiencing that in India is special, and it motivates us to give our best.”
Indian National Development Team member Manav Sarda said, “Having both the Indian National Team and the Indian Development Team at this race is a big opportunity for younger riders like us. Training alongside senior riders and competing in a UCI stage race at home will help us improve significantly.”
Akshar Tyagi added, “The training camp with the senior riders helped us correct small but important aspects of our racing. That experience has given us confidence that we can first compete with our seniors and then test ourselves against international riders. The level of support we’re receiving here is similar to what we see in major international races, and that belief makes a big difference.”
The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 will see Indian riders’ line up alongside international teams in a demanding multi-stage format, testing endurance, strategy, and teamwork. As the road to Los Angeles begins to take shape, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour stands as a rare and meaningful opportunity – one that combines global competition with homegrown pride.
Information About Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026
Information About Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026
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.
World-Class Infrastructure & Global Ambition
Central to the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour’s success is a massive infrastructure overhaul, highlighted by the rapid road construction, upgrades with safety protocols in just 75 days. This project is part of a broader district-wide initiative in upgrading the road infrastructure to meet stringent UCI guidelines, ensuring top-tier safety and ride quality. By delivering this world-class arena, Bajaj Pune Grand Tour not only reclaims Pune’s legacy as India’s “Cycle Capital” but also establishes a permanent blueprint for sustainable urban-rural development and positions India as a premier destination for international sports tourism and elite competitive cycling.
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.
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