India's First Global Cycling Race: Pune Grand Tour Set to Debut in January
A Tour de France-inspired event, the Pune Grand Tour, is scheduled to take place from January 19 to 23, 2026. This marks India’s first-ever Pro State Elite Race for men and has been classified as an elite event on the global annual cycling calendar. The Bajaj Group serves as the title sponsor, while the Serum Institute of India is the co-sponsor. Additional support comes from food company Chiatale and real estate firm Panchshil Group.
The Pune Grand Tour will be a 2.2-level event recognised by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the world governing body for cycling. It will be organised by the Pune District Administration, Maharashtra’s Ministry for Sports and Youth Welfare, and the Cycling Federation of India.
This four-day multi-stage race will cover approximately 100 km each day, totalling about 437 km across Pune district, passing through nine talukas, 100 villages, and the cities of Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The event will serve as a qualifier for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, allowing international participants to earn race points.
Jitendra Dudi, the Pune district collector and in charge of the Pune Grand Tour, stated that the state, district, and city administrations are investing Rs 422 crore to develop road infrastructure in line with global cycling standards. Current sponsors have committed Rs 35 crore towards the event and prize money, with more sponsors expected to join in to enhance support.
The planned route aims to highlight Pune’s Sahyadri mountains, historical forts, grasslands, hill stations, and religious sites. So far, 25 countries have confirmed their participation, which will help position India on the global cycling map while boosting tourism in the region and promoting cycling as a viable commuting option. Dudi envisions making this a legacy event, ultimately to be managed by an independent company similar to the Tour de France. Although this event starts with a 437 km route, there are aspirations to expand it to 2,100 km in the future.
Indu, an Indian giant squirrel, will serve as the official mascot of the Pune Grand Tour. A national racing event will be organised in December 2025 as a precursor to this major event.
