Once India’s cycle capital, Pune is ready to ride again

Pune's geographical features, such as its hilly landscapes and picturesque surroundings, make it an ideal city for cycling. No surprise then that 'Poona' was known as the Cycle Capital of India during the 1960s and 1970s.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Then in the 1980s, even as scooters started to become the norm, cycles still remained in the groove. The Kulkarni Cycle Mart remained busy even during the monsoons. Shortly after board exam results were announced, students queued up for both college admission forms and the means to get there: a bicycle.

The iconic Bombay-Poona bicycle race, last held in 2018, was an integral part of the sporting culture.

It was first organised in 1945 by an Anglo-Indian man named Sydney Chorder. Starting from Kala Ghoda in Bombay, the race would move on to the old Mumbai-Pune highway, with a steep 11 kilometre climb, before culminating in Shivaji Nagar, Pune. The 200-kilometre race was later shortened to 152 kilometres to avoid the heavy traffic in Mumbai.The race, open only to men between 18 and 35 years old, would witness the crowning of the 'Bhor Ghaat Cha Raja' (King of the Ghats).

As the pack stopped for a mandatory 30-minute break, the cyclist who first climbed the arduous Khandala stretch would be honoured for the feat.This legacy of Pune's love for bicycles and rich heritage of cycle racing will be revived in January next year with the Pune Grand Tour, a Continental Team’s Men’s Elite Road Cycling Race, sanctioned by the sport's global body (UCI).The race, categorised as Class 2.2, is scheduled for January 19 to 23.

Spanning 437 kilometres, the race will feature four competitive stages, zigzagging across nine talukas and 150 villages. It will pass through urban stretches, serene Sahyadri foothills and rural terrains, pushing riders through the toughest climbs, fastest flats and iconic landmarks.

The Pune Grand Tour 2026, organised by the Pune District Administration and the Government of Maharashtra, with collaborative support from the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), is expected to witness the participation of 28 teams, including four national teams.

India will field two national teams: 'India A’ and ‘India B'.IAS Jitendra Dudi, Collector Pune District and Officer In-charge of Pune Grand Tour, said in a media release: “We are extremely happy and honoured to see the magnitude of world’s response for the inaugural year of Pune Grand Tour. Major cycling countries like United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Germany, Netherland, Australia, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand etc.

have shown keen interest with many having confirmed participation.“Union Cycliste International is very keen to help promote the sport in India. This is Pune’s moment to establish itself as an international cycling destination and we are confident to deliver a world class event,” he added.

One of the biggest tasks facing the organisers and tournament director Pinaki Bysack, who has worked on events such as the Asian Games and World Championships for over four decades, is the treatment required for potholes, rough patches, meet the roughness index and road widths to ensure an accident-free, safe race.Towards this goal, the civic body claimed it has filled nearly 3,000 potholes. Operating under a tight deadline and strict technical specifications, multiple entities — contractors, PWD, consulting agencies — have delivered 80% of the course, which covers the outskirts of Pune. The next step requires an inspection from UCI.

The overarching goal is to make the race a legacy for Pune. With a budget of Rs 500 crore towards road surface treatment, the objective is to advance levels (from Class 2.2 to 2.1 and then professional); expand from 437 kilometres to 460 kilometres; and create business and tourism opportunities in the urban and rural areas.The New Pune International Airport, expected to begin construction in Purandar district in May 2026 and slated to handle 75 million passengers annually, could boost the region's tourism. This four-stage race could also inspire a new generation of sports enthusiasts and position the country as a premier destination for future UCI events.