Pune: Indian cycling enters a global spotlight as the inaugural Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, India’s first UCI 2.2 category multi-stage road race, announces expansive international broadcast partnerships with JioStar and Warner Bros. Discovery, ensuring live coverage across more than 80 territories worldwide.
The five-day race, commencing on 19 January 2026, will feature 171 elite riders from 29 teams representing over 35 countries across Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. Covering a gruelling 437 km route through the Deccan Plateau and Sahyadri Ranges, the Tour blends high-performance sport with Pune district’s cultural and geographic diversity.
In India, the race will be broadcast live on Star Sports and streamed on JioHotstar, while audiences across Europe can watch the world feed live on HBO Max and Discovery+. Additionally, Eurosport and Eurosport Asia will air highlight packages in over 20 languages, reaching more than 150 million households across 61+ countries. Global viewers outside India can also access the live stream via the official website.
Commentary for the Tour will be led by veteran broadcaster Ned Boulting, alongside former Tour de France cyclist Graham Jones and Indian cycling legend Abhijit Sett, bringing together decades of elite racing and broadcast expertise.
Jitendra Dudi (IAS), Collector, Pune District and In-charge Bajaj Pune Grand Tour, said, “We are extremely delighted to bring Bajaj Pune Grand Tour to the global audience and establish Pune and India permanently in the UCI cycling calendar. The Pune Grand Tour is a collaborative effort by Pune District Administration, Government of Maharashtra and Cycling Federation of India, that brings together the best of international as well as home grown Indian riders. We are confident that sports fans across the world will enjoy watching the arrival of India on the global cycling stage.”
Organised by the Pune District Administration and the Government of Maharashtra under the aegis of the Cycling Federation of India, the event follows the recent announcement of Mahinder Singh Dhoni as the Tour’s Goodwill Ambassador. The race also marks a significant infrastructure milestone, with rapid road upgrades completed in just 75 days to meet stringent UCI safety standards.
With over 72 hours of live streaming, global distribution across premium sports and OTT platforms, and a showcase of Pune’s heritage, landscapes, and urban-rural connectivity, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 positions India firmly on the international professional cycling map and reinforces Pune’s ambition to emerge as a global cycling district.
