Bajaj Pune Grand Tour Sparks Joy and Pride
Bajaj Pune Grand Tour Powers Emotional Cycling Revolution And Global Ambition
Ahmedabad stepped firmly into India’s new cycling era today as the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 Trophy reached the city on its nationwide tour. The visit underlines how Ahmedabad is fast becoming a key hub for major endurance sports and international-standard events in India.
The prestigious, heritage-inspired Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 Trophy was unveiled today in Ahmedabad, marking the city as the fourth stop on the nationwide Trophy Tour ahead of India’s first-ever UCI 2.2 classified international road cycling race. This tour has already sparked interest in Delhi, Jaipur and other major centres, where local riders and fans have gathered in large numbers to see the trophy up close. For many, it is their first direct connection with a professional road race that will bring India into the same conversation as well-known cycling events in Europe and Asia.
The Trophy was unveiled at the hands of Dr. Jayarambhai Gamit, Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of Gujarat in the presence of senior government and sports dignitaries including Shri Ashwini Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Sports, Youth & Cultural Activities Department, Government of Gujarat; Shri Pinaki Bysack, Race Technical Director, Bajaj Pune Grand Tour; Shri Devendra Singh Solanki, President, Gujarat Cycling Association; Dr. Bharat Patel, Secretary, Gujarat Cycling Association; and Dr. Bhairavi Joshi, Director & CEO, BYCS India Foundation.
Their presence shows how both the state government and cycling officials see this race as a flagship project that can lift Indian cycling standards and attract global attention. BYCS India Foundation has also been active in pushing cycling as a daily, healthy, city-friendly habit, giving this event a strong community and sustainability angle.
Organised by the Pune District Administration with the support of the Government of Maharashtra, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 is India’s premier international cycling event and the country’s first UCI-recognised Pro- stage Elite Road race for men. The race has been given UCI Class 2.2 status, which means it will feature Continental teams and national squads and will offer world ranking points to the riders. This status is important, as it helps Indian cyclists race against experienced foreign teams without having to travel to Europe for every major event.
The race will bring elite cyclists from across the world to compete on Indian roads, placing India firmly on the global professional cycling calendar. Organisers expect around 25–28 teams, including professional outfits from Asia and Europe, alongside India A and India B national teams picked by the Cycling Federation of India. For young Indian riders, sharing the peloton with seasoned international professionals can speed up learning in tactics, race craft and handling in tough conditions.
The Ahmedabad leg of the Trophy Tour highlights the city’s strong sporting foundation and its increasing contribution to the growth of organised cycling in India. In recent years, Ahmedabad has hosted marathons, tennis leagues and other large events, building experience in crowd management, live television and modern venue operations that cycling races can also draw upon. Local cycling groups have grown too, with weekend rides, brevet-style endurance events and city rides that promote safer roads and better fitness.
With a growing emphasis on endurance sports, athlete development and community participation, Ahmedabad’s inclusion reflects the city’s relevance in shaping the future of Indian sport. State sports schemes and private academies are now looking at cycling not just as a leisure activity but as a performance sport where athletes can aim for Asian Games and Olympic qualification. The visibility of a high-profile trophy event also helps schools and colleges consider cycling clubs and inter-institution races as part of their sports calendars.
Crafted by Pune’s renowned Tambat Aali coppersmith community, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour silverware draws inspiration from Maharashtra’s rich heritage, symbolising eight historic forts and the enduring legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Tambat Aali lane in old Pune has, for nearly 250 years, been home to metal workers whose hand-hammered copper vessels are now part of the city’s craft identity. Linking this tradition with a modern sport trophy turns the piece into a bridge between past and present India.
As the Trophy continues its journey across the country, it has generated enthusiasm among cycling enthusiasts, administrators and the wider sporting community. At each stop, organisers are pairing the trophy showcase with group rides, children’s cycling rallies and talks on road safety and fitness, making the tour more than just a photo opportunity. Social media updates, short videos and athlete messages are further helping the event reach audiences beyond the host cities.
As the Trophy Tour continues its journey across key Indian cities, it builds national momentum ahead of the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, setting the stage for a landmark moment in India’s professional cycling history. The race, set from 19 to 23 January 2026, will run over four stages and around 437 kilometres across Pune district, mixing city roads, hill sections and rural stretches. This format mirrors popular international stage races and could become a template for future Indian events in other states.
What is The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour?
India’s First UCI 2.2 Race: The Pune Grand Tour is a major milestone, marking India’s entry into the global professional cycling circuit, sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). UCI backing assures teams of proper safety, neutral support, timing systems and anti-doping controls, aligning the race with global best practice. It also helps Indian organisers and officials gain hands-on experience with international regulations and race management.
A Spectacle of Culture & Sport: The 4-stage, 437-km race showcases Pune’s stunning landscapes, from forts and hills to rural beauty, celebrating Pune District’s rich heritage. Riders are expected to pass near historic locations such as Purandar Fort and the Sahyadri foothills, giving television viewers a moving postcard of western India. Tourism bodies see this as a chance to promote home-stays, local food and heritage walks around the race dates.
Inspired by Tradition: The trophy itself, crafted by Pune’s Tambat Aali coppersmiths, features symbols of the region’s eight forts, reflecting strength, strategy, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy. Each face and curve is meant to suggest guarding walls and watchtowers, turning the silverware into a story object rather than a plain cup. This storytelling approach fits a wider trend in world sport where trophies are designed to highlight local culture and pride.
A Gateway to Global Cycling: The event inspires Indian youth, aims to develop a robust cycling culture, and positions India as a future global sporting powerhouse. The UCI’s World Cycling Centre has already pointed to India as a priority market, and events like this can help talent from cities and smaller towns move into the high-performance system. In time, regular exposure to such races could feed into stronger Indian performances at Asian Championships and Olympic qualifiers.
Significance for Ahmedabad & India:
National Pride: The trophy’s visit signifies national pride and the collective effort to build a strong sporting ecosystem. Just as cricket and kabaddi leagues have reshaped their sports, cycling now has a chance to grow with backing from governments, federations and private sponsors. For fans in Ahmedabad, the event offers a sense of taking part in a national project that reaches beyond one city or state.
Boosting Sports Tourism: It promotes adventure tourism, inviting visitors to explore the rich history and natural beauty of the host regions. Cycling races often bring support staff, media and fans who stay in hotels, eat at local restaurants and explore nearby sights, giving a direct boost to the local economy. Gujarat and Maharashtra tourism boards can also build themed trails and festivals around cycling weekends.
Inspiring Future Olympians: The Pune Grand Tour is expected to be a qualifier for future Olympics, nurturing local talent and offering a path to global glory for Indian cyclists. Even before formal qualification slots are confirmed, racing frequently in UCI events is key to preparing riders for Olympic-level speed and intensity. For school and college riders watching in Ahmedabad, this sends a clear message that world-class cycles, coaches and races are now within Indian reach.
Bespoke Trophy Design, Its essence, heritage & motivation
Some creations carry more than their form, and the Pune Grand Tour Trophy is one of them. It isn’t just copper shaped into an object; it holds the pulse of a sport, the grit of the athletes who chase its glory, and the memory of the land it comes from. The Pune Grand Tour trophy was imagined with all of that in mind.
Its silhouette comes from the eight forts that sit along the race route, each a reminder of strategy, resilience, and the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Those forts don’t just mark geography; they represent the spirit that built Pune’s identity. Their influence appears in the trophy’s eightfold structure and in the eight-faced mudra, a quiet nod to the city’s heritage and the stories it carries forward.
At its heart, the trophy opens into a swirling cavity, almost like a breath drawn inward- mirroring the shape of a velodrome. Anyone who has watched cyclists train here knows the rhythm: the steady rise of speed, the discipline, the repeated return to the same line until the movement becomes instinct. That inner vortex is a tribute to that process, that private battle every rider faces long before race day.
The trophy is forged entirely from copper, honouring the craftsmen of Tambat Aali, who have spent generations perfecting a skill that requires both power and precision. The piece spans 480mm, but its real presence comes from the countless hammer strikes that form its surface. Each mark reflects the cadence of a cyclist pushing through fatigue, finding their rhythm, and refusing to fall out of motion. It is, in a way, a sculpture of perseverance.