Pune woke up to history on Monday morning as the city officially welcomed the world of elite cycling. With the start of the Pune Grand Tour 2026, India has firmly announced its arrival on the global professional cycling map. The five-day, multi-stage race is not just another sporting event; it is a statement of ambition, scale and belief. Riders from across continents lined up at Goodluck Chowk for the opening prologue, marking the beginning of a journey that blends high-speed competition with the cultural and geographical richness of Maharashtra. 

The Pune Grand Tour 2026 is being held over five days, from January 19 to January 23, 2026. The event began on Monday, January 19, with a short 7.5-kilometre prologue at Goodluck Chowk in Pune, which set the early general classification standings. The race then moves into four full stages across the Pune district and the Western Ghats, combining flat sections, rolling terrain and challenging climbs. After stages on January 20, 21 and 22 that take the riders through Mulshi Maval, the Maratha Heritage Circuit and the Deccan Plateau, the tour will conclude on Friday, January 23, with the 95-kilometre Pune Pride Loop, an urban circuit passing iconic city landmarks such as Shaniwar Wada.

A Landmark Race for Indian Cycling

The Pune Grand Tour 2026 is India’s first-ever Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) 2.2-category men’s multi-stage continental road race. Spanning 437 kilometres across the Deccan Plateau, the Sahyadri Range and Pune’s bustling streets, the event stands as a watershed moment for Indian cycling. 

Crucially, the race offers UCI ranking points that count towards qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics, turning every stage into a high-stakes battle for riders chasing Olympic dreams.

India’s Biggest-Ever Cycling Contingent

For the first time, India has fielded a 12-member squad in a UCI-accredited road race, the largest contingent the country has ever sent to an event of this stature. Led by Asian Championship silver medallist Harshveer Singh Sekhon, the Indian challenge is split into national and developmental teams. The national squad features Naveen John, Sahil Kumar, Dinesh Kumar, Vishwajeet Singh and Surya Thathu, while the developmental team includes Sachin Desai, Niraj Kumar, Vivaan Sapru, Manav Sarda, Chirag Sehgal and Akshar Tyagi. Together, they represent both experience and the future of Indian road cycling. 

The scale of the Pune Grand Tour is reflected in its international participation. A total of 164 elite riders from 28 teams, representing 35 countries, have assembled for the inaugural edition. Teams from Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa bring diverse racing styles, strategies and pedigree, ensuring that Indian riders are tested against world-class opposition. 

The Race Begins with a Fast and Furious Prologue

The event kicked off with a 7.5 km prologue at Goodluck Chowk, a short but decisive opening test designed to set the early general classification standings. Against the backdrop of Pune’s urban landscape, riders pushed maximum power and precision, knowing that even seconds could shape the race narrative. The prologue signalled the tone of the week ahead: fast, technical and unforgiving. 

From Tuesday onward, the race moves into four demanding stages that showcase both Maharashtra’s natural beauty and its challenging terrain. Stage 1, the 87.2 km Mulsi-Maval Miles, winds through Hinjewadi, Pune’s IT hub, combining urban roads with rolling countryside. Stage 2, the 105.3 km Maratha Heritage Circuit, is expected to be one of the toughest, featuring ghat climbs around historic landmarks such as Purandar Fort, Sinhagad and the scenic Khadakwasla Lake. Stage 3 stretches over 134 km from Purandar to Baramati across the Deccan Plateau, testing endurance and team tactics. The race concludes with the 95 km Pune Pride Loop, an urban circuit passing iconic sites including Shaniwar Wada, where speed, positioning and crowd energy will play decisive roles.

More Than a Race, A Regional Celebration

Beyond competition, the Pune Grand Tour is a celebration of place and people. The route passes through nine talukas and nearly 150 villages, bringing international sport to rural heartlands and reconnecting communities with cycling culture. 

Rapid road construction and safety upgrades completed in just 75 days have transformed infrastructure to meet stringent UCI standards, leaving behind a lasting legacy for local athletes and residents alike.

Reclaiming Pune’s Cycling Legacy

Often referred to as India’s “Cycle Capital,” Pune has long nurtured cycling talent and culture. The Pune Grand Tour reclaims and redefines that legacy on a global scale. Organised by the Pune District Administration and the Government of Maharashtra under the aegis of the Cycling Federation of India, the race positions India as a credible destination for elite competitive cycling and international sports tourism. 

As the Pune Grand Tour 2026 unfolds over the coming days, it promises drama, endurance and stories of human grit. From seasoned professionals chasing Olympic points to young Indian riders racing before home crowds, this is more than a competition. It is the beginning of a new chapter for Indian cycling, written on Pune’s roads and watched by the world.