With 29 teams from 35 countries and 171 cyclists, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour features professional continental teams, national teams, and development squads from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
What level of competition is Pune Grand Tour?
The Pune Grand Tour is classified as a UCI 2.2 event. In simple terms, '2' means it is a multi-stage road race and '.2' indicates the level on the UCI professional ladder
While it is not yet at the level of the Tour de France or Giro d’Italia, a UCI 2.2 race is extremely important for emerging cyclists, continental teams, and riders aiming to move up to higher professional ranks.
Many riders use races like this as a stepping stone to UCI ProTeams and a platform to earn UCI ranking points.
Why are UCI 2.2 points important?
The UCI points earned at the Pune Grand Tour will help riders earn individual ranking points and improve their global standing. Teams can collect points that help them qualify for bigger UCI races. Meanwhile, national riders can use these points for Olympic qualification pathways.
For Indian cyclists especially, this is huge. Instead of travelling abroad, they now have a home race offering international points and helps them get noticed by bigger international teams.
A rider from Tarteletto–Isorex Team reaches the finish line in Stage 2 of PGT. Image: Vishal Tiwari/Firstpost
Top cyclists and teams to watch
The start list includes several experienced international professionals and strong teams:
- Luke Mudgway (Li Ning Star) – New Zealand rider and one of the race favourites
- Timothy Dupont (Tarteletto–Isorex, Belgium) – a well-known European sprinter
- Yorben Lauryssen (Belgium) – consistent podium finisher
- Merhawi Kudus (Burgos Burpellet BH) – Olympic-level experience from Eritrea
- Alan Carter Bettles (Roojai Insurance Winspace) – strong all-round rider
European teams like Burgos Burpellet BH, Tarteletto–Isorex, Schils Doltcini, and China's Li Ning Star are part of the event, while national teams from France, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Mauritius, and India are also in the mix.
Teams at Pune Grand Tour 2026
- 7-ELEVEN CLIQQ RODBIKE PHILIPPINES
- ASC Monsters Indonesia
- Burgos Burpellet BH
- CT Vassil Levski
- EuroCyclingTrips – CCN
- Global Cycling Team
- Grant Thornton Cycling Team
- Hucare Factory Team / Team Storck-Metropol Cycling
- Indian Cycling Team
- Indian Development Team
- Li Ning Star
- Malaysia National Team
- Malaysia Pro Cycling Team
- Mauritius Team
- Nex Velofit Cycling Team
- Nusantara Cycling Team
- ProCyclingStats Team
- Quick Pro Team (QPT)
- Roojai Insurance Winspace
- Schils Doltcini RT
- Sélection Nationale Team France Défense
- (Numbering skipped in official list)
- Tarteletto–Isorex
- Team Rauland
- Terengganu Cycling Team
- Universe Cycling Team
- Uzbekistan National Cycling Team
- Victoria Sports Pro Cycling Team
- Wielerploeg Groot Amsterdam
Indian participation
India is represented by two teams - Indian Cycling Team and Indian Development Team. Riders like Manav Sarda, Naveen John, Sahil Kumar, and Harshveer Sekhon get a rare opportunity to race with world-class cyclists on home roads.
The Indian National Team cyclists pose for a picture before the start of Stage 3. Image: Vishal Tiwari/Firstpost
Race format and route
The Pune Grand Tour covers 437 km across four stages, plus a short prologue that took place on January 19.
- Prologue (7.5 km) – Deccan Gymkhana
- Jan 20, Stage 1 – Mulshi–Maval–Pimpri-Chinchwad
- Jan 21, Stage 2 – Pune–Purandar–Rajgad–Haveli
- Jan 22, Stage 3 – Purandar–Baramati
- Jan 23, Stage 4 – Pune–Haveli–Pimpri-Chinchwad
Is Pune Grand Tour part of a larger competition?
Since it is on the UCI International Calendar, the Pune Grand Tour is officially part of the global professional cycling ecosystem. Results from this race will count worldwide, just like any other UCI event held in Europe or Asia.
