Pune Grand Tour 2026: How a Global Cycling Spectacle Transformed the City

• Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, and Baramati hosted the Pune Grand Tour 2026, India's first UCI 2.2 multi-stage continental cycling race, attracting global attention.
• The event saw extensive beautification efforts, including murals, new streetlights, and road renovations, transforming local infrastructure.
• Thousands of spectators, from Saswad to JM Road, lined routes, creating a festive atmosphere with traditional dances and music, despite some traffic disruptions.
• Cycling commentators Ned Boulting and Graham Jones praised the unprecedented 75-day preparation, which included upgrading 473 km of roads to UCI safety standards.
• UCI Director General Amina Lanaya highlighted the event as a potential blueprint for future Indian cycling events and a step towards hosting a World Championship.

Why It Matters: The Pune Grand Tour 2026 successfully showcased Pune globally, transforming infrastructure and setting a benchmark for Indian cycling.