Pune Grand Tour
| Race details | |
|---|---|
| Date | January |
| Region | Pune district, India |
| Discipline | Road |
| Competition | UCI Asia Tour 2.2 |
| Type | Stage race |
| Organiser | Cycling Federation of India |
| Web site | punegrandtour |
| History | |
| First edition | 2026 |
| First winner | Luke Mudgway (2026) |
The Pune Grand Tour is an annual professional road bicycle stage race held across various locations in Pune district. It was rated by the International Cycling Union (UCI) as a 2.2 category race. The inaugural edition of the race took place from 19 to 23 January 2026.
Background
The Pune Grand Tour was initiated by the administrators of Pune district, as a way to tie sporting legacy with the development of the district's infrastructure while attracting tourism and potential for more revenues in the district. The district administration, together with Cycling Federation of India (CFI), presented the race proposal to UCI in June 2025, who granted approval of the race with category 2.2. The race is the first UCI-sanctioned stage race in India.[1]
Race route
The race spans a total 437 kilometres (272 mi) divided into four stages across various locations in Pune district including Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maval, Mulshi, Bhor, Baramati and Velhe. It is designed to cover various terrains through the Western Ghats, Deccan Plateau and the urban area.[2]
Infrastructure
The Pune Municipal Corporation spent ₹123 crore (US$15 million) for upgrading the infrastructure within its jurisdiction. This included resurfacing of the roads, manhole cover alignment, along with signage placement on a stretch of 75 kilometres (47 mi).[3]
Other details
The logo and mascot named Indu (inspired by Indian giant squirrel, the state animal of Maharashtra) of the race was unveiled on 29 October 2025.[4] Being a UCI sanctioned race, the 2026 edition provided ranking points for qualification to the 2028 Summer Olympics.[5]
Race overview
The inaugural race was divided into four stages with a prologue on the first day of the event.[6] Starting from Goodluck Chowk on Fergusson College Road to Deccan Gymkhana bus station via Ganeshkhind Road, the prologue was a 7.5 kilometres (4.7 mi) time trial to decide the start list for the first stage. Fergus Browning (Terengganu Cycling Team) was the fastest overall and thus became the first holder of the yellow jersey.[7] After winning the first stage, Luke Mudgway (Li-Ning Star Cycling Team) claimed the yellow jersey.[8] In the second stage, Mudgway finished the race again at the first position and retained the yellow jersey.[9] Stage three saw Cameron Scott (Li-Ning Star Cycling Team) as the winner, with Mudgway still at the top of the general classification.[10]
Winners
| Year | Country | Rider | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | New Zealand | Luke Mudgway | Li-Ning Star |
References
- ^ Mehta, Sunanda (21 January 2026). "Pune Grand Tour: How a lapsed 'cycle city' clinched India's biggest international cycling race". The Indian Express. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- ^ "Pune Grand Tour 2026: All you need to know about India's biggest cycling event". The Times of India. 17 January 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ^ "Proper signage, speed breakers, footpath repair: PMC to spend Rs 123 crore to make roads ready for Pune Grand Challenge Tour cycling". The Indian Express. 11 September 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ "Cycling solution to pollution, traffic, lifestyle diseases, says Fadnavis; unveils Pune Grand Tour Logo". The Indian Express. 30 October 2025. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ "Pune Grand Tour 2026: Luke Mudgway wins Stage 2 to retain overall lead". olympics.com. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
- ^ "Pune Grand Tour makes UCI history in India: How to watch, teams, stages. Here's all you need to know". Wion. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ^ "Pune Grand Tour 2026: Fergus Browning wins prologue stage and takes Yellow Jersey". Khel Now. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ "Pune Grand Tour 2026: Luke Mudgway claims thrilling Stage 1 after gruelling Mulshi–Maval ride". The Times of India. 20 January 2026. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ "Pune Grand Tour 2026 – Stage 2: Mudgway Rules the Maratha Heritage Circuit, Extends Yellow Jersey Lead". The Bridge Chronicle. 22 January 2026. Retrieved 23 January 2026.
- ^ "Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026: Cameron Scott Takes Stage 3 Glory As Luke Mudgway Tightens Grip On Overall Lead With Yellow Jersey". Free Press Journal. Retrieved 23 January 2026.