Inside the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, India’s First UCI Stage Race

A new era dawns upon Indian cycling with Pune set to establish itself as a Global District with the inaugural Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, India's first UCI 2.2 category multi-stage road race, unveiling distribution plans with two of the world's premier broadcasters, JioStar and Warner Brothers Discovery.

The landmark five-day race, starting on 19 January 2026, will see a fierce competition between riders from 28 teams who have arrived in Pune from Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa tackling challenging routes of 437-kms through the Deccan Plateau and Sahyadri Range, blending high-stakes sport with the region's rich heritage.

Having last week named former Indian cricket captain Mahinder Singh Dhoni as the Goodwill Ambassador for Bajaj Pune Grand

Tour 2026, the organisers have now announced another major addition to the most exciting event, bringing Star Sports and JioHotstar onboard for LIVE broadcast in India, and Warner Brothers Discovery's OTT platforms, HBO Max and Discovery+, for live streaming in Europe.

Additionally, the live stream can be accessed around the world outside of India on www.punegrandtour.in. These broadcast arrangements will reach millions, showcasing Pune's newly laid cycling routes through the district's scenic and diverse landscapes and cultural legacy. The Eurosport and Eurosport Asia television channels - the home of all cycling - will showcase Highlight packages across 61+ countries combined.

Live English commentary of the Tour will be anchored by acclaimed television presenter Ned Boulting, who has reported on every Tour de France since 2003. He will be joined by former professional cyclist Graham Jones, a five-time Tour de France rider, and former Indian cyclist Abhijit Sett.

The commentary team combines decades of elite racing experience and broadcast expertise to deliver authoritative and engaging coverage of the India's first UCI approved cycling Tour. Mr. Jitendra Dudi (IAS), Collector, Pune District and In-charge Bajaj Pune Grand Tour said, "We are extremely delighted to bring Bajaj Pune Grand Tour to the global audience and establish Pune and India permanently in the UCI cycling calendar.

"The Pune Grand Tour is a collaborative effort by Pune District Administration, Government of Maharashtra and Cycling Federation of India, that brings together the best of international as well as home grown Indian riders. We are confident that sports fans across the world will enjoy watching the arrival of India on the global cycling stage. "

Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026: A Landmark Moment for Indian Cycling

Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, India's first-ever UCI 2.2 category multi-stage, five-day Continental cycling race for men, marks a watershed moment in the country's presence on the global professional circuit.

The gruelling 437-km route cuts across the diverse terrains of the Deccan Plateau and Sahyadri ranges and has attracted an unprecedented field of 171 elite riders from 29 teams representing five continents and 35 countries.

Organised by the Pune District Administration and the Government of Maharashtra under the aegis of the Cycling Federation of India, the race blends high-performance sporting excellence with a celebration of Pune's cultural heritage, historic landmarks and rural tourism, passing through nine talukas and 150 villages.

World-Class Infrastructure and a Global Vision

Central to the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour's ambition is a massive infrastructure overhaul, underscored by rapid road construction and safety upgrades completed in just 75 days. The initiative forms part of a broader district-wide effort to bring road infrastructure in line with stringent UCI guidelines, ensuring elite safety standards and ride quality.

By delivering a world-class racing arena, the Pune Grand Tour not only reclaims the city's legacy as India's "Cycle Capital" but also lays down a permanent blueprint for sustainable urban-rural development, positioning India as a credible destination for international sports tourism and elite competitive cycling.

Broadcast & Streaming Information

LIVE Coverage - India

Star Sports and JioHotstar will provide live television and digital coverage of the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 across India.

LIVE World Feed - Europe

The official world feed of the race will be live streamed across Europe on HBO Max and Discovery+.

Highlights Coverage - Europe

Race highlights will be broadcast in 20 languages on Eurosport, the home of cycling in Europe, reaching audiences across multiple European markets.