Pune Grand Tour 2026: The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 is India’s first men’s multi-stage road race classified under Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) category 2.2. The five-day continental-level event puts India on the global professional cycling calendar for the first time.
The race will cover a newly mapped 437-kilometre route through the Deccan Plateau and Sahyadri Range, with hairpin bends, steep climbs and demanding terrain. A total of 171 runners from 29 teams representing 35 countries will compete in the event.
PuneLong associated with cycling culture and often referred to as “City of Bicycles”, it organizes the Pune district tour, with the support of multiple bodies and civic organizations with the aim of showcasing the landscapes of the region and establishing Pune as an international cycling destination.
The UCI, the world governing body for cycle racing, classifies events according to a global classification system, with category 2.2 recognizing multi-stage races at professional level on the continental circuit.
Pune Grand Tour 2026 Schedule
Monday, January 19: Prologue, Goodluck Chowk (7.5 km)
Tuesday, January 20: Stage 1, Mulsi-Maval Miles (87.2 km)
Wednesday, January 21: Stage 2, Maratha Heritage Circuit (105.3 km)
Thursday, January 22: Stage 3, Gateway to the Western Ghats (134 km)
Friday, January 23: Stage 4, Pune Pride Loop (95 km)
Where to watch the race
The Pune Grand Tour 2026 will be available for viewers to watch on the JioHotstar app and website. The live telecast of the Pune Grand Tour cycle race will also be available on Star Sports TV channels.
Track details:
The Pune Grand Tour began on Monday with a 7.5 km prologue at Goodluck Chowk, designed to set the initial overall classification.
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The race will take place over four demanding stages in the Pune district and the Western Ghats, combining sprint finishes, sustained climbs and tactical races.
Stage 1
The 87.2 km Mulshi-Maval miles on January 20 will take riders through Pune’s IT corridor, including Hinjewadi.
Stage 2
Scheduled for January 21, this stage features the 105.3 km Maratha Heritage Circuit, a challenging route that includes ghat climbs around Purandar Fort, Sinhagad and Khadakwasla Lake.
Stage 3
On January 22, the race will move to the 134-kilometre Western Ghats Gateway, which stretches from Purandar to Baramati across the Deccan Plateau.
Stage 4
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The five-day event will conclude with the 95-kilometre Pune Pride Loop, an urban circuit that passes through several of the city’s iconic landmarks, including Shaniwar Wada.
MS Dhoni backs India’s cycling debut
Former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador of the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026.
As Goodwill Ambassador, Dhoni will help raise the profile of the event and inspire wider interest in cycling, particularly among younger athletes.
Recognized for his focus on fitness, discipline and endurance, Dhoni embodies core values for competitive cycling. Their participation adds credibility and visibility to the Pune Grand Tour, positioning it as a historic initiative for the growth of the sport in India.
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The largest cycling event in India
The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour is positioned as a global challenge, inviting cyclists from all over the world to participate.
The race route spans the entire Pune district and is designed to test riders on multiple fronts, including technical skills, stamina and mental resilience. Built around a high-quality support ecosystem, the event aims to offer competition with international standards.
India will field a record 12-member contingent at the Pune Grand Tour 2026, marking the country’s largest participation in the UCI-accredited men’s road race.
The Indian team is led by Asian Championship silver medalist Harshveer Singh Sekhon.