Pune Grand Tour set to become India’s first elite multi-stage cycling race and Olympic qualifier

Pune Grand Tour would not just be India’s first-ever Pro Stage Elite Race for Men - a UCI 2.2 international cycling event, but also a pathway to qualification for the LA 2028 Summer Olympics. The Pune Grand Tour 2026 will take place from 19 to 23 January 2026, allowing international cyclists to collect race points essential for the LA 2028 qualification through a multi-stage, multi-day road race.

Classified as an elite event in UCI’s annual calendar, the Pune Grand Tour is pegged as India’s groundbreaking move into global stage, combining with athletes’ grit, glory and passion for a world class competition. Racing through the vast topography of 437 kms, Pune Grand Tour will be Maharashtra’s showcase event – displaying dynamic mix of Pune District’s urban stretches, hilly terrain and rural landscapes.

Given the burgeoning interest in cycling and country’s long association with sports, the Pune Grand Tour aims to position itself among the best cycling competitions across the world. It represents transformational progress for Indian cycling, progress that will benefit both professional Indian cyclists and spectators alike.

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The official emblem and mascot for Pune Grand Tour 2026 were launched on Wednesday by Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis in the presence of officials from the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), Ministry of Sports and Youth Welfare, Maharashtra, and Pune District Administration.

Speaking on the occasion, Fadnavis said, “It is a momentous occasion for all of us as we set out to bring India’s first-ever UCI 2.2 global cycling event to Pune. The Pune Grand Tour represents a defining moment for Maharashtra’s sporting vision, demonstrating our commitment to developing sports infrastructure. Pune Grand Tour hopes to act as a foundation in creating an eco-system to nurture talent and make our own national cycling heroes.”