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Pune Grand Tour Trophy Unveiled in Jaipur: A Heritage-Inspired Cycling Milestone

The heritage-inspired trophy for the upcoming Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 was officially unveiled in Jaipur. Rajasthan's Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari and Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi were present for the ceremony. The trophy, crafted by Pune's coppersmiths, symbolizes eight forts and the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This event marks a major step for India in hosting its first UCI 2.2 classified international cycling race.

Key Points: Pune Grand Tour 2026 UCI Race Trophy Unveiled in Jaipur

  • Trophy crafted by Pune's coppersmiths, representing eight heritage forts and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's legacy
  • Event is India's first-ever UCI 2.2 classified international road cycling race
  • Aims to elevate professional cycling status with ambitions for a UCI Pro Tour race
  • Organised by Pune District Administration with support from Maharashtra and Rajasthan governments
2 min read

Pune Grand Tour trophy unveiled in Jaipur

The heritage-inspired trophy for India's first UCI 2.2 road race, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, was unveiled in Jaipur by Deputy CM Diya Kumari.

"It's good to see India embracing newer sports and showcasing its organisational skills to host large sports events. - Diya Kumari, Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan"

Jaipur, Dec 20

The heritage-inspired trophy for the Pune Grand Tour 2026, India's first-ever UCI 2.2 classified road race, was unveiled here on Saturday. Rajasthan's Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, along with Jitendra Dudi (IAS), Collector, Pune District, the host city for the road race, was present on the occasion.

The dignitaries were joined by Madan Rathore, Member of Parliament, Rajasthan, Dr. Niraj K Pawan (IAS) Rajasthan Sports Secretary; Onkar Singh, Chairman, Cycling Federation of India Commissioner and Sarika Choudhary, Chairperson, Selection Committee, Rajasthan Cycling Association.

Crafted by Pune's coppersmiths, famously known as Tambat Aali community. The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour Trophy, representing eight heritage forts and the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has generated excitement among cycling enthusiasts, sports fans, and local community, highlighting Jaipur's role in the national sporting landscape.

Organised by Pune District Administration, led by Jitendra Dudi, with steadfast support from the Government of Maharashtra, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 is India's premier international cycling event - a first-ever UCI 2.2 classified road race - drawing elite cyclists from across globe to compete on Indian soil.

As part of the nationwide Trophy Tour, the arrival of Pune Grand Tour Trophy in the Pink City serves as a significant milestone for India, embracing global sports and blending its deep-rooted heritage with world-class event organisation.

Speaking about Pune Grand Tour, Diya Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister, Govt. of Rajasthan stated, "It's good to see India embracing newer sports and showcasing its organisational skills to host large sports events. The Pune Grand Tour 2026 is one such step - a first-ever UCI classified race in India, which will elevate the status of professional cycling in India."

Jitendra Dudi (IAS), Collector of Pune District and race in-charge of the Pune Grand Tour said, "The Pune Grand Tour 2026 is an amalgamation of focused work for the past 6 months with clear direction of creating an unique sporting property for India, which can further be expanded to a higher level.

"UCI 2.2 race is the lowest of category in international road cycling competition. We have ambitions of making India home to a UCI Pro Race in line for the Tour de France; that's our inspiration."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the trophy unveiled in Jaipur for a Pune event. Shows a nice pan-India collaboration. Hope this boosts cycling infrastructure and inspires more people to take up the sport.
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Vikram M
Ambition to host a Tour de France level race is admirable, but let's first ensure this 2.2 event is executed flawlessly. Our roads and traffic management for such an event will be a major challenge. Wishing the team the very best!
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Priya S
Love the heritage angle! Eight forts and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's legacy on the trophy... it's more than just a race, it's showcasing our history. Can't wait to see it on TV in 2026!
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Rohit P
As a cycling enthusiast from Mumbai, this is a dream come true. Finally, a proper international race in India! Hope they open registrations for amateur riders too for a supporting event. The trophy tour is a great way to build hype.
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Karthik V
Good initiative, but the article feels more like a PR release. I'd like to know more about the actual race route in Pune, the teams confirmed, and the budget. Transparency is key for public support.
M
Michael C
This is a significant development

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