CM Fadnavis Unveils Pune Grand Tour 2026, India’s First International Cycling Race

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 29th October 2025: The Pune Grand Tour 2026 — India’s first-ever Pro Stage Elite Race for Men and a UCI 2.2 international cycling event — unveiled its official emblem and mascot today, marking a historic milestone in India’s sporting journey.

The event will be held from January 19 to 23, 2026, offering participants the opportunity to earn crucial qualification points for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics.

Demonstrating strong government backing, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister and Pune Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar joined representatives from the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), the Ministry of Sports and Youth Welfare, Maharashtra, and the Pune District Administration in pledging their commitment to usher in a cycling revolution in Maharashtra and across India.

Classified as an elite event in the UCI’s annual calendar, the Pune Grand Tour represents India’s bold entry onto the global cycling stage. Covering a total distance of 437 kilometres, the race will traverse Pune district’s diverse terrain — from urban stretches to hilly landscapes and rural settings — making it Maharashtra’s flagship international sports event.

Speaking at the unveiling, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said,“It is a momentous occasion for all of us as we bring India’s first-ever UCI 2.2 global cycling event to Pune. The Pune Grand Tour marks a defining moment for Maharashtra’s sporting vision and demonstrates our commitment to developing world-class sports infrastructure. This event will help build an ecosystem to nurture young talent and create India’s own cycling heroes.”

Echoing this sentiment, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said,“Cycling is much more than a sport — it is an international movement. Yet, India has not been part of this global community in a significant way. Today marks a historic turning point for Pune, Maharashtra, and India as we take our first steps to join the world cycling fraternity.”

Highlighting the larger vision, Pune District Collector and Pune Grand Tour In-Charge Jitendra Dudi said,“With the Pune Grand Tour, India takes a bold stride onto the world cycling stage. Our ambition is to inspire India’s youth to take up cycling professionally. We want to build a legacy where cycling is seen not merely as recreation, but as a pathway to global sporting excellence.”

As one of the youngest nations in the world, India is poised to emerge as a sporting and economic powerhouse. The Pune Grand Tour aims to accelerate this transformation by embedding cycling into the nation’s athletic culture.

With rising interest in cycling and India’s strong sporting heritage, the Pune Grand Tour 2026 aspires to stand alongside the world’s premier cycling competitions. It represents a transformative leap for Indian cycling — one that promises to benefit athletes, enthusiasts, and the nation’s sporting ecosystem alike.

As the wheels turn on this new initiative, India readies itself to script a new chapter in its sporting history — powered by passion, endurance, and the spirit of the Pune Grand Tour.