The countdown is on for the Pune Grand Tour 2026, India’s inaugural UCI 2.2 multi-stage road race, as international cycling teams from Africa, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Oceania begin arriving in Pune ahead of the five-day, 437-km contest scheduled from January 19 to 23. The event marks a historic moment for India’s professional cycling scene, bringing together 171 riders from 29 teams across 35 countries.

Teams from across continents have already touched down, including Morocco’s Sidi Ali Unlock Sports Team, the Philippines’ 7-Eleven Cliqq Roadbike, and Indonesia’s ASC Monsters and Nusantara Cycling Team. Oceania is represented by EuroCyclingTrips–CCN, while Great Britain’s Schils Doltcini RT and the Mauritius National Team complete the global peloton, highlighting the truly international nature of the event.

Organised by the Pune District Administration under the Cycling Federation of India, the Grand Tour passes through diverse terrains, including the Deccan Plateau and Sahyadri ranges, showcasing Pune’s cultural heritage, historic landmarks, and rural tourism. The event also emphasizes high-performance competition alongside urban-rural integration, making it a platform for both sport and tourism.

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Significant infrastructure upgrades have been completed in just 75 days, with road safety and quality brought up to UCI standards. These enhancements reflect Pune’s ambition to reclaim its legacy as India’s “Cycle Capital” and set a benchmark for sustainable urban-rural development while preparing to host world-class international sporting events.

The race comprises four stages plus a prologue, each offering unique challenges: the prologue at Goodluck Chowk, the Mulsi-Maval Miles sprint stage, the Maratha Heritage Circuit ghats, the Western Ghats Gateway speed stage, and the Pune Pride Loop finale passing landmarks like Shaniwar Wada. Riders will face technical urban sections, steep climbs, and rolling terrain, testing endurance, strategy, and speed.

With final preparations underway, Pune is poised to witness India’s first truly global cycling contest, placing the city on the international UCI calendar and opening new avenues for sports tourism. Organisers and authorities are confident the event will not only deliver high-octane racing but also elevate India’s reputation as a host for world-class professional cycling competitions.

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