Pune Grand Tour to be largest UCI 2.2 race in the world with 171 participants: Collector Jitendra Dudi

The race is divided into four stages with a total length of 437 kilometers. (Express File Photo)

The Pune Grand Tour cycling race set to commence on January 19 will be the largest Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) 2.2 level race in the world with 171 participants and 29 teams, Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi said on Tuesday at a press conference. He said that on average UCI 2.2 races have 125 participants and the previous largest race worldwide had 144 participants.

Dudi said, “This race is a watershed moment for Pune and India because it is the first time that such an international race has been organised. No stage 2.2 race has taken place in India before this. Around the world an average of 125 participants are there in these races. We are creating history as 171 participants have never been a part of a stage 2.2 race. Before this the maximum participation worldwide, according to information provided to me by the Cycling Federation of India, was 144.”

This kind of enthusiastic participation meant that positive information about this race has dissipated worldwide, Dude remarked. He added that more teams had reached out for participation but their applications had to be turned down due to UCI rules that prevent participation of more than 29 teams and 176 players.

The event will see participation from teams from 35 countries including three teams from Netherlands, one each from France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Bulgaria, and two from Australia.

An Indian team will also be competing in the tournament as the wild card entry. The team members are Sahil Kumar, Surya Ramesh Thathu, Vishwajeet Singh Sheoran, Dinesh Kumar, Harshveer Singh Sekhon, Naveen John, and substitute rider Akshat Tyagi.

Stage 1 – Mulshi to Maval Miles (91.8 km, Elevation 956m): Weaving through Pune’s IT hub Hinjewadi, this opening stage combines flat sprints with sharp urban turns.

Stage 2 – Maratha Heritage Circuit (109.15 km, Elevation 1466m): Cyclists will ascend the challenging ghats, facing steep gradients and views of Purandar Fort, Sinhagad and Khadakwasla Lake.

Stage 3 – Western Ghats Gateway (137.07 km, Elevation 820m): Stretching across the Deccan plateau from Purandar to Baramati, Day-3 favours speed and tactical prowess, with crosswinds and rolling terrain.

Stage 4 – Pune Pride Loop (99.15 km, Elevation 560m): The final phase race winds through the urban sprawls of Pune city, passing through modernity and historic relevance like Shaniwar Wada and a finish in the heart of the city.

The possibility of international cyclists complaining about the high Air Quality Index (AQI) levels currently being experienced by the city was one of the major concerns regarding the race, said Dudi in response to a question by The Indian Express. He said, “Today my biggest fear is that players might say something about the AQI because it is high and we need to take some steps to fix it. We are going to do something temporarily. Some things will be revealed to the media while some things will be done unofficially…Detailed discussions are going on with the PMC and PCMC.” When asked if a pause on construction activity in the city for the duration of the race was being considered, he said, “As I said I cannot tell everything to the media…but I can say that your thinking is in the right direction.”