The logo and jersey of ‘Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026’, India’s first-ever international UCI 2.2 Stage Cycling Race, were unveiled in Pune on Wednesday. The landmark event, organised jointly by Maharashtra Government, Pune District Administration, and the Cycling Federation of India, aims to showcase Pune’s rich cultural and sporting legacy while promoting cycling as a catalyst for health, tourism, and sustainability.
Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse hailed the event as a milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global sporting hub. “The Pune Grand Tour 2026 aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of hosting the Olympic Games in 2036 and reflects India’s growing focus on sports-led development and sports tourism,” she said.
Khadse highlighted the success of the ‘Sundays on Cycle’ movement, launched under the Fit India initiative, which now engages over five lakh cyclists weekly across 5,000 locations nationwide. She lauded Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya for championing the initiative and inspiring people to adopt cycling as a way of life that promotes fitness, sustainability, and social connection.
“The Pune Grand Tour 2026 is an excellent example of how sports can drive wellness, tourism, and economic growth,” Khadse said, adding that the rise of sports science will further enhance athlete performance and strengthen India’s sporting ecosystem.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who unveiled the event’s logo and jersey, said the Pune Grand Tour will celebrate the city’s historical and cultural identity while boosting domestic and international tourism. “Pune has always been the home of cycling, and this event will revive that legacy. The Grand Tour will place Pune on the global cycling map, encouraging fitness and environmental awareness,” he said.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar called the race a “festival of health, employment, tourism, and development,” noting that it will traverse more than 200 villages through the Sahyadri ranges. “Inspired by the Tour de France, this event is a major milestone for Maharashtra. It will bring global attention to our state and strengthen local economies,” Pawar said, while commending the Pune District Administration, led by District Collector Jitendra Dudi, for executing the project swiftly.
The event also saw the unveiling of the race mascot ‘Indu’, inspired by the endangered Indian Giant Squirrel found in the Bhimashankar forests — symbolising agility, resilience, and ecological balance.
Fadnavis also felicitated veteran cyclist Nirupama Bhave (77) and other accomplished cyclists including Preeti Mhaske, Praniti Soman (Ahmednagar), Bharat Sonawane (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Akash Mhetre (Jalgaon), and Pooja Danole (Solapur) for their contributions to Indian cycling.
Dignitaries present included Minister of State for Urban Development Madhuri Misal, Asian Cycling Confederation President Dato Amarjit Singh Gill, Cycling Federation of India Secretary General Dato Maninder Pal Singh, and former ACC Secretary General Onkar Singh. Senior officials such as Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, PMC Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, PCMC Commissioner Vinay Kumar Choubey, and Commissioner of Sports and Youth Services Sheetal Teli-Ugale were also in attendance.
Organisers said that the event would not only promote cycling as a sport but also reinforce Pune’s image as India’s “City of Cycles” – where fitness, tourism, and sustainability ride together toward a healthier future.