The birth of 'fourth Grand Tour' could become the "pivotal moment" of road cycling in India

One day before the cycling season 2026 officially begins for most cycling fans with the Tour Down Under on Tuesday, January 20, a Grand Tour will start in... India! No, we haven't gone crazy, but neither Giro, Tour or Vuelta is involved. Instead, the so-called "Pune Grand Tour" will feature as India's first international race since 2013 on UCI calendar. The five-day stage race in Pune region will start on Monday, January 19 and conclude on Friday.

For cycling in the world's most populated country, this is a chance at renaissance following a downfall of the sport's popularity in the previous decade. However past few years saw road cycling in India regain its place it public's hearts, bit by bit.

The Pune Grand Tour then is expected to be a massive event, a celebration that will go way beyond sports. For the 2.2 race, a massive 171-headed peloton will sign up for the Monday's prologue. The bunch will include several high-profile teams who must've witnessed the birth of fourth Grand Tour with their own eyes.

Among most prominent participants are ProTeam Burgos Burpellet BH, Belgian conti team Tarteletto-Isorex with ex-pro sprinter Timothy Dupont or Chinese team Li Ning Star with ex-Bahrain sprinter Cameron Scott. Host country India also nominates two teams; the National Team consisting mostly of experienced cyclists, and Development Team focused on upcoming talents.

"Every sport has that pivotal moment. I think for road cycling, this is hopefully going to be it," Indian National Team leader Naveen John told the Global Peloton newsletter ahead of the race's start.

The 39-year-old veteran John is a nine-time Indian time-trial champion and is expected to place highest of the home riders during the opening 8-kilometer prologue. He might be the only man on the start who has participated in the 2013 "Cyclothons".

And while the domestic scene picked up some speed in recent months and years, John emphasizes how important will it be for the everyone involved to compare with international peloton: "In the amount of visibility the race is getting. It’s not just state level or it’s not just like cycling circles. For the first time an event in our sport is sort of bursting outside of that bubble."

"This is a watershed moment for Pune and India, and we are ready to deliver a race that sets a new global benchmark for the UCI Asia Tours," Jitendra Dudi (IAS), Collector, Pune District and Officer In-Charge for the race said in a press release.

"This isn’t just a race; it is the arrival of India as new powerhouse in the professional cycling circuit. This is a moment of pride for Pune to reclaim its original identity of ‘Cycle Capital’. The inaugural edition will be a landmark day for India to establish itself as an international cycling destination. For us, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour is not just about hosting a race; we aim to create a legacy for Pune and India. We are inspired by the 120 years of legacy [the] Tour de France has created. The record participation for Pune Grand Tour further reinforces our belief that India can now have its own ‘Pro Tour’ in near future, with Pune proudly leading India’s aspiration."

According to Global Peloton, the arrival of the race has seen 500km of roads in Maharashtra repaved, and more than 3,000 people have registered as volunteers.  

While the opening prologue will be key for distribution of early cards for the GC as most stages are likely to end with large group sprints, the third stage could provide some excitement thanks to multiple short hills on the course, with the final one at 17 kilometers to go happening to be the hardest of the day - 1.8 km and 8.7%.