Pune: India’s first-ever international UCI 2.2 Stage Cycling Race, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, was officially launched on Wednesday with the unveiling of its logo and jersey in Pune. The event, jointly organised by the Maharashtra Government, Pune District Administration, and the Cycling Federation of India, seeks to promote cycling as a driver of health, sustainability, and tourism while celebrating Pune’s sporting and cultural heritage.
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse hailed the initiative as a landmark in India’s growing sports movement. “The Pune Grand Tour 2026 aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a global sports powerhouse and potentially hosting the Olympic Games in 2036,” Khadse said.
She praised the success of the ‘Sundays on Cycle’ campaign, a Fit India initiative that now engages over five lakh cyclists across 5,000 locations nationwide. Khadse also credited Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya for championing cycling as a lifestyle that promotes wellness, sustainability, and community spirit.
“The Pune Grand Tour 2026 demonstrates how sports can unite fitness, tourism, and economic development,” Khadse said, adding that advances in sports science would further enhance athlete performance and strengthen India’s sports ecosystem.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who unveiled the logo and jersey, said the event would showcase Pune’s identity as a historic and athletic city while promoting tourism and environmental awareness. “Pune has long been known as the home of cycling. This Grand Tour will place the city on the global cycling map and revive that legacy,” Fadnavis said.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar described the race as a “festival of fitness, employment, and development,” highlighting its route through more than 200 villages across the Sahyadri ranges. “Inspired by the Tour de France, this event will bring global visibility to Maharashtra and uplift local communities,” Pawar said, commending District Collector Jitendra Dudi and his team for leading the project efficiently.
The event also introduced its mascot ‘Indu’, inspired by the endangered Indian Giant Squirrel of the Bhimashankar forests — a symbol of resilience, agility, and ecological balance.
Veteran cyclist Nirupama Bhave (77) was honoured along with noted cyclists Preeti Mhaske, Praniti Soman, Bharat Sonawane, Akash Mhetre, and Pooja Danole for their contributions to Indian cycling.
Dignitaries present included Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal, Asian Cycling Confederation President Dato Amarjit Singh Gill, CFI Secretary General Dato Maninder Pal Singh, and former ACC Secretary General Onkar Singh. Senior officials such as Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, PCMC Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey, and Commissioner of Sports and Youth Services Sheetal Teli-Ugale also attended.
Organisers said the Pune Grand Tour 2026 would not only promote competitive cycling but also reaffirm Pune’s image as India’s “City of Cycles,” where fitness, tourism, and sustainability move forward together toward a healthier future.
