2.2 is the fourth level of professional cycling road racing, and Pune opted for full road closures, rather than rolling closures, and deployed around 3,000 police officers to ensure no cyclists were obstructed. “The road marshals haven’t allowed cows or dogs on the track, but the crowds have literally been the stars,” said Ned Boulting, who has commentated on the Tour de France for 23 years. “Every time the cyclists passed through a town, the crowds took photos and cheered from a safe distance, leaving their shops, homes and offices. Don’t take that for granted. It doesn’t happen in Europe. It’s 5 or 6 times more than any race, and we’ve done some big races in China, where only 15 to 20 people attended,” he added.

What also surprised the visiting experts was that the Pune authorities laid 473 kilometers of roads just for one race. “It’s a mystery why such a rich and diverse country doesn’t have more professional cyclists in Europe, when Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Mongolia do. Indian cycling needed a moment and to take a risk with investment. Pune did it,” he says. “Broadcast drones have captured some stunning shots of forts, temples and roads winding through mountains, lakes and villages. But the real win will be if someone wins a stage in the Tour de France in 10 years and says I was first inspired when cyclists passed my house in Pune. That’s the legacy. That’s how European cyclists start,” he adds.

“Visibility of the event on television is the most important thing, or you will end up being a cricket-only country,” says the south London resident. He was immersed in the Pune experience, visited the Agakhan Palace and Lal Mahal and learned about the antics of Chhatrapati Shivaji. “I can eat Indian curry for the rest of my life, but this time I discovered poha,” he says cheerfully.

An Italian professional cyclist, Jacopo Guarnieri, a Tour de France regular for 8 years, contacted Boulting on Thursday saying he was intrigued by the race. “He called saying it looked fantastic on TV. A lot of bigger European teams are expected next year.”

Graham Jones, however, started off sceptical, but added that Pune should be ambitious and add another extra day of racing with average routes of 150km.

Amina Lanaya, vice-president of the international body UCI, also pointed out that the cyclists have big ambitions to get fans comparable to cricket in India. “I’m delighted with the crowd. Cycling has free entry unlike stadium sports, so it’s not a surprise. But it’s not just the numbers but the crowds smiling and happy to welcome the cyclists. They need an Indian cyclist to identify with, because we want to ensure that cycling takes the same place as cricket. We are going to help the National Federation increase ramp levels, but we will also focus on BMX. We will bring more Indians to our center in Switzerland,” she says.

When asked what other Indian cities should do to host similar races, he laughed at Pune. DC Jitendra Dudi: “Get a good district collector. He got things done.”