Pune Grand Tour 2026: Luke Mudgway came for cycling but couldn’t escape cricket as Li-Ning Star keep winning

Luke Mudgway arrived in Pune with one clear goal - to race, compete and collect UCI points for Li-Ning Star. What he perhaps did not expect was to also be drawn into India’s favourite sport, cricket, even as his team continued to dominate the Pune Grand Tour 2026.

After winning the first two stages of India’s first international professional multi-day road cycling race, Mudgway has been the standout performer of the event. The New Zealand rider has shown why Li-Ning Star have set the benchmark at the Pune Grand Tour and why they deserve to win the title.

Mudgway’s dominance on the road is all thanks to years of hard work. Speaking about his preparation, he told _Firstpost_, “A lot of hours, a lot of really, really hard hours. I’ve said it a couple of times, I think cycling is the hardest sport in the world. You really have to dedicate a lot of time and effort and energy. A lot of sacrifice.”

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That effort paid off early in the race. Mudgway won Stage 1 with a powerful sprint and followed it up with another victory on Stage 2, retaining the Yellow Jersey. Even when he did not win Stage 3, he stayed consistent enough to keep the overall lead and the Yellow Jersey.

One of Mudgway’s biggest strengths has been his mental approach. “I just try to stay calm, stay grounded. I try not to think of what could happen and just control the things that I can control,” he said. Handling the Pune heat has been another challenge for Mudgway and his team. “Just eat as much carbs as I can, basically. So yeah, lots of rice for me. Just as much as my body can handle,” he added.

Luke Mudgway’s advice for aspiring cyclists

Despite his success, Mudgway remains grounded about his journey. Asked about the best advice he has received, his answer was simple. “Probably just don’t give up. I’ve had a lot of tough times in my career, but yeah, I think a lot of people always say, don’t give up, keep going.”

He also gave the same advice to young cyclists. “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Have fun, enjoy it. Yeah, I think a lot of people take way too much pressure on themselves for racing and training, and unfortunately, I think that’s why a lot of young cyclists quit cycling,” Mudgway told Firstpost before the start of Stage 3.

“So, it’s really important to keep the enjoyment, have fun, go training with your mates, travel the world, see beautiful places like India. But yeah, just don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Do the basics right and get the work done,” Mudgway added.

Asked an offbeat question about cricket, Mudgway smiled and admitted, “Yeah, I do. I do watch cricket.” His favourite cricketer? “Trent Boult.” But when asked about the ongoing India versus New Zealand series, he said, “No, I wasn’t watching, sorry. I’m more of a rugby fan.” When told the Kiwis had dominated the ODI series, Mudgway responded with a laugh, “Oh, they did. Wow, I’m sorry about that, guys.”

While Mudgway shared some light moments off the track, Li-Ning Star continued their serious business in the race. Cameron Scott’s win on Stage 3 from Saswad to Baramati underlined the team’s depth, showing that their dominance is not dependent on one rider alone.

Why Pune matters in Li-Ning Star’s season plan

Team Director Aliaksandr Piasetski said the Pune Grand Tour holds real importance for the team. “This race is very important for us. It is one of the first races of the season, and we can earn UCI points here. Every race is important for our team, and that is why we came to India,” he said.

Piasetski also praised the effort behind the race. “The organisers are trying their best to deliver a good race,” he said, while acknowledging the challenges of hosting a cycling event in a country with heavy traffic. He also described Pune’s roads as “very interesting and technical”, comparing them to European mountain routes.

“The roads here are very interesting and technical. The mountain stages had narrow roads with many corners, which require good bike-handling skills. It is similar to some mountain regions in Europe where the roads are small and always going up and down,” he said.

When asked about the quality of roads in Pune, Piasetski said, “For racing, the road quality is very good. There are no major issues, and it is suitable for professional cycling.” The Belarusian, however, admitted that the “heat and humidity” had affected his team, with “water, ice and nutrition” helping them manage the conditions.

With three stages completed, the Pune Grand Tour now heads into its decisive final stretch. Stage 4, called the Pune Pride Loop, will cover 95 kilometres and could play a key role in deciding the overall standings. However, Li-Ning Star remain firmly in control as of Stage 3 and are expected to win the title come Friday.