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Pune Grand Tour Set to Start Monday as India Debuts First UCI 2.2 Stage Race

The event offers Olympic qualifying points on home roads after a rapid upgrade of 437 km of routes and extensive city logistics ahead of the prologue.

Overview

  • Organisers and local authorities say 171 riders from 29 teams representing 35 countries have assembled, with one report noting a late withdrawal that could reduce the peloton to 164 riders from 28 teams.
  • India fields its largest-ever home contingent with 12 riders split between a national squad and a development team, reflecting a push to accelerate elite road-cycling development.
  • Monday’s prologue is an individual time trial starting at Goodluck Chowk on Fergusson College Road and finishing on Jangli Maharaj Road, with police ordering closures on key central corridors and a one‑day holiday for schools and colleges in affected wards.
  • Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the race and highlighted that 437 km of roads and safety systems were brought up to UCI standards in record time to host the five-day, 437 km contest.
  • Live coverage will air on Star Sports and JioHotstar in India, HBO Max and Discovery+ in Europe, with worldwide streaming via the official race website and English commentary led by Ned Boulting.