Pune Grand Tour 2026 Stage 2: Luke Mudgway Wins Maratha Heritage Circuit, Retains Yellow Jersey
Pune, 21st January 2026: The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 delivered exactly what its billing promised — a bruising examination of endurance, teamwork and nerve.
The Maratha Heritage Circuit, stretching 105.3 kilometres across Pune district, took the race deep into a landscape shaped by forts, steep gradients and unforgiving descents. Starting from the Ladies Club in Camp at 12.30 pm and finishing along Sinhagad Road at Nanded City, Stage 2 was designed to stretch the peloton both physically and mentally.
At the end of another relentless afternoon, it was once again Luke Mudgway of Li Ning Star (China) who stood tallest. Having claimed Stage 1, Mudgway doubled down on his authority by winning the Maratha Heritage Circuit in 2:31:49 and retaining the Yellow Jersey.
The back-to-back victories have placed him firmly at the top of the general classification as the race moves deeper into Maharashtra’s demanding terrain.
Mudgway did not have it all his own way. Alan Carter Bettles of Roojai Insurance Winspeed (Thailand) produced a composed ride to finish second, while Yorben Lauryssen of Tarteletto–Isorex (Belgium) claimed third. For Lauryssen, it marked a second successive podium finish after also placing third on the opening day.
By virtue of his stage win, Mudgway earned a 10-second time bonus. Bettles received a six-second bonus, while Lauryssen was awarded four seconds.
It was an intense battle, with the top six riders all clocking the same time of 2:31:49. Clement Alleno and Jambaljamts Sainbayar of Burgos Burpellet BH (Spain) finished fourth and fifth respectively, while Stefan Benetton of Eurocyclingtrips–CCN (Guam) took sixth. The final rankings were decided on a photo finish.
Speaking after the stage, Mudgway acknowledged the severity of the challenge, saying the combination of heat and constant climbing had turned the race into a survival test long before the finish line.
“It was a hot day, lots of mountains, but I survived to the finish and again got to sprint from a small group. That suits me well, and I’m glad I could execute it again today,” he said.
Mudgway also credited his teammates for their support.
“My teammates did an amazing job today. We came here with one less rider, so we knew it was going to be tough to control. Our sprinters worked so the climbers could rest, and they brought it back close enough before the second-to-last climb,” he added.
The defining moment came on the final climb — a brutal second-category ascent and the steepest of the day. Attacks flew as riders fought to stay in contention. From the crest, the road plunged into a fast, narrow and technical descent that allowed little room for error and almost no time to regroup before the finish.
It was here, on what many called the queen stage of the race, that Mudgway confirmed his status as the rider to beat.
“Teams started attacking us, but I managed to keep it under control. One of my teammates stayed with me after the first climb and rode me to the finish, and then I got to sprint again. I’m happy I could finish it off for the team,” he said.
While the Yellow Jersey remained with Mudgway, other classifications saw changes after the demanding day in the hills. Stefan Benetton dominated the climbs to claim maximum points in the King of the Mountains competition and take the Polka Dot Jersey.
The Orange Jersey for Best Asian Rider stayed with Jambaljamts Sainbayar, whose consistency continued to impress. Dutch rider Tijssen Viego of Wielerploeg Groot Amsterdam took the White Jersey as Best Young Rider, while Sarda Manav of the Indian Development Team claimed the Blue Jersey as India’s Leading Performer.
With the Maratha Heritage Circuit complete, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour now moves into its longest and most tactically complex phase.
Stage 3, titled the Western Ghats Gateway, stretches 134 kilometres from Purandar to Baramati and climbs to an elevation of 1,024 metres. Rolling terrain, exposed roads and the threat of crosswinds promise a different kind of challenge that could reshape the race once again.
After two days of attrition, one thing is clear: the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour is demanding far more than speed alone. And for now, Luke Mudgway is answering every question it asks.
About the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026
The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 is India’s first-ever UCI 2.2 category multi-stage, five-day continental cycling race for men. Covering a gruelling 437-kilometre route across the Deccan Plateau and Sahyadri ranges, the event features 171 elite riders from 29 teams representing 35 countries across five continents.
Organised by the Pune District Administration and the Government of Maharashtra under the aegis of the Cycling Federation of India, the race passes through nine talukas and 150 villages, blending high-performance sport with Pune’s cultural heritage, historic landmarks and rural tourism.
World-class infrastructure and ambition
Central to the event’s success is a rapid road infrastructure upgrade completed in just 75 days to meet stringent UCI safety and quality guidelines. The initiative not only revives Pune’s legacy as India’s “Cycle Capital” but also positions the region as a premier destination for international sports tourism and elite competitive cycling.
Upcoming stages
January 22, 2026
Stage 3: Western Ghats Gateway (134 km, elevation 1,024 m)
From Purandar to Baramati, this stage favours speed and tactical awareness, with rolling terrain and crosswinds expected to test the peloton.
January 23, 2026
Stage 4: Pune Pride Loop (95 km, elevation 578 m)
The race returns to the city, passing through historic landmarks such as Shaniwar Wada and modern urban stretches, featuring technical sections and a dramatic finish.
