The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026

Pune has done something few thought possible. Once known for traffic jams and broken roads, the city has now hosted one of the world’s biggest international cycling events — the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026.

A Global Event Comes to Pune

The race began on January 19, with over 170 cyclists from 35 countries competing across 437 km of Pune’s hills and countryside. This is India’s first-ever UCI 2.2 multi-stage race, which helps riders earn qualification points for the Olympics.

For a city that once led India’s cycle culture in the 60s and 70s, this feels like a proud comeback. #PuneNews #newstrendss #news

Schedule & Routes

Day 1 — January 19, 2026: Pune City Circuit

• Route: Goodluck Chowk → FC Road → Fergusson College → Deccan → Senapati Bapat Road → University Circle → Baner → Balewadi Stadium

• Distance: ~75 km

• Highlight: Opening ceremony with national teams and a fast, urban stage across newly repaired city roads.

• Purpose: A showcase of Pune’s upgraded civic roads and city heritage.

Day 2 — January 20, 2026: Pune to Mulshi – The Mountain Challenge

• Route: Shivajinagar → Paud Road → Pirangut → Mulshi Dam → Tamhini Ghat stretch

• Distance: ~110 km

• Highlight: The scenic Mulshi valley and tough climbs along the ghats.

• Fun Fact: This stage tested endurance, with global riders praising the route’s natural beauty and smooth tarmac.

Day 3 — January 21, 2026: Maval to Rajgad – Heritage Trail

• Route: Talegaon → Lonavala → Maval → Velhe → Rajgad Fort base

• Distance: ~125 km

• Highlight: Heritage and elevation combined — a mix of steep ghats and cultural landscapes.

• Note: Local villages hosted cheering zones with traditional music and food stalls.

Day 4 — January 22, 2026: Purandar Loop – The Grand Finale

• Route: Saswad → Purandar → Jejuri → Saswad return

• Distance: ~127 km

• Highlight: Rolling hills and a historic backdrop, ending with the final sprint near Purandar Fort.

• Closing Event: Award ceremony featuring MS Dhoni, brand ambassador, with live streaming on JioCinema and Hotstar.

The Roads Got a Makeover

To make the event possible, the city administration worked at lightning speed. Roads were repaired, widened, and made smoother. More than 2,000 speed breakers were removed, and new safety standards were introduced.

Officials say this isn’t just about one race — it’s about long-term improvement. The event pushed different departments to work together and gave Pune’s infrastructure a serious upgrade.

Beyond the Race

The route passes through Mulshi, Maval, Rajgad, and Purandar, showing off Pune’s scenic beauty and local culture. Villages along the route have also benefited with better roads and connectivity — a win not just for sports, but also for people living there.

Cricket legend MS Dhoni joined as the brand ambassador, giving the event a big boost in popularity.

What It Means for the City

The race has brought Pune global attention and opened the door for more international sports events in India. It also shows how sports can push cities to plan better and deliver faster.

From traffic-choked streets to smooth race tracks, Pune has proved that change is possible — all it takes is the right push and teamwork.

See the official update here: Bajaj Pune Grand Tour Instagram Post