India Hosts First UCI 2.2 Multi-Stage Cycling Race in Pune Grand Tour 2026

The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, India's first-ever UCI 2.2 multi-stage professional cycling race, commenced on January 19 in Pune. Featuring 171 elite riders from 29 teams across 35 countries, the five-day, 437-km race traverses diverse terrains including the Deccan Plateau and Sahyadri Range. The event, supported by multiple sponsors and organized by Pune District Administration, Maharashtra government, and Cycling Federation of India, offers Olympic qualification points for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted the rapid development of race-ready infrastructure and its significance for India's sporting future.