Written by Ritesh Dhar
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday he said Pune The Grand Tour 2026 will not be limited to just an international cycling competition, but will become a sporting and foundational legacy that will endure for many generations to come. He was speaking at the inauguration of the Pune Grand Tour and the welcoming ceremony for international riders, held at the JW Marriott hotel in Pune.
Fadnavis said: “The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour represents the future of Indian sport. What normally takes decades has been achieved in months, with world-class infrastructure created at a pace not seen in the last 30 years. This is not simply an event for today – it is a path towards a legacy envisioned 75 years down the line. Pune, a district where history meets the future, will now be recognized globally as a world-class sports, tourism and cultural destination.”
“Pune district is a confluence of history, culture and modernity,” Fadnavis said, adding that every kilometer one can experience stories of valor, tradition and culture. He added that Pune is not only a cultural capital but also a leading city in the technology, manufacturing and IT sectors, and the natural beauty of the Western Ghats will give the competition a unique dimension. Fadnavis expressed confidence that this competition will soon become a prestigious annual event in the global sports calendar and said that through this, Pune district will occupy a prominent place on the international map in the fields of sports and tourism.
Union Minister of State for Cooperation Muralidhar Mohol, Minister of State for Higher and Technical Education Chandrakant Patil, Minister of State for Social Justice Madhuri Misal and General Secretary of Cycling Federation of India Dato Maninder Pal Singh were present on the occasion.
Stating that the Pune Grand Tour 2026 is the beginning of a journey that will last for many centuries, the Chief Minister said that several complementary activities will be implemented along with the competition, giving tourists an opportunity to witness the natural beauty and historical forts of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
(The author is an intern at The indian express)