~Inspired by Tour de France, the inaugural Pune Grand Tour 2026 celebrates India’s first step towards international cycling road race~
Chennai, 22 December 2025 – The prestigious, heritage-inspired Trophy for the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, a powerful symbol of India’s growing stature in professional cycling, was unveiled today at a distinguished ceremony in Chennai.
The Trophy Tour event was graced by the presence of senior government and sports dignitaries including Thiru Dr Atulya Mishra, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Youth Welfare & Sports Development, Government of Tamil Nadu; Thiru J Meghanathan Reddy, IAS, Member Secretary & Chief Executive Officer, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu; Thiru Dha Velu, Member of the Legislative Assembly, Mylapore; Thiru M Sudhakar, President, Tamil Nadu Cycling Association; and Tmt L Sujatha, General Manager, Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu and Thiru Pinaki Bysack, Race Technical Director, Bajaj Pune Grand Tour
Organised by the Pune District Administration, led by Shri Jitendra Dudi (IAS), with steadfast support from the Government of Maharashtra, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 is India’s premier international cycling event and the country’s first-ever UCI 2.2 classified road race. The race will bring elite cyclists from across the world to compete on Indian roads, placing India firmly on the global professional cycling map.
As part of the nationwide Trophy Tour, the unveiling of the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour Trophy in Chennai marks a significant milestone, reflecting India’s expanding sporting ambition and its ability to host world-class international events. The Trophy Tour’s stop in Chennai highlights the city’s deep-rooted sporting culture and its increasing role in shaping India’s cycling future.
Crafted by Pune’s legendary Tambat Aali coppersmith community, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour Trophy draws inspiration from Maharashtra’s rich heritage, symbolising eight historic forts and the enduring legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Trophy has already generated excitement among cycling enthusiasts, sports administrators and the wider sporting community across the country.
Pinaki Bysack, Race Technical Director, Bajaj Pune Grand Tour said “Our focus with the Pune Grand Tour 2026 has been to create a strong starting point for India in international road cycling. The UCI 2.2 classification marks the beginning of this journey, with a long-term roadmap to scale the event into a Pro-level race aligned with global benchmarks. For us, this race is about getting the details right; from the route design and safety to the overall rider experience on Indian roads.
He adds, “Chennai has always had a strong relationship with sport; from nurturing athletes to building a culture that values discipline and endurance, which are central to cycling. Bringing the Trophy Tour here is meaningful for us, as it reflects how cities like Chennai are shaping the future of Indian sport.”
What is Bajaj Pune Grand Tour?
- India’s First UCI 2.2 Race: The Pune Grand Tour is a major milestone, marking India’s entry into the global professional cycling circuit, sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
- A Spectacle of Culture & Sport: The 4-stage, 437-km race showcases Pune’s stunning landscapes, from forts and hills to rural beauty, celebrating Pune District’s rich heritage.
- Inspired by Tradition: The trophy itself, crafted by Pune’s Tambat Aali coppersmiths, features symbols of the region’s eight forts, reflecting strength, strategy, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy.
- A Gateway to Global Cycling: The event inspires Indian youth, aims to develop a robust cycling culture, and positions India as a future global sporting powerhouse.
Significance for Jaipur & India:
- National Pride: The trophy’s visit signifies national pride and the collective effort to build a strong sporting ecosystem.
- Boosting Sports Tourism: It promotes adventure tourism, inviting visitors to explore the rich history and natural beauty of the host regions.
- Inspiring Future Olympians: The Pune Grant Tour is expected to be a qualifier for future Olympics, nurturing local talent and offering a path to global glory for Indian cyclists.
Bespoke Trophy Design
It’s essence, heritage & motivation
Some creations carry more than their form, and the Pune Grand Tour Trophy is one of them. It isn’t just copper shaped into an object; it holds the pulse of a sport, the grit of the athletes who chase its glory, and the memory of the land it comes from. The Pune Grand Tour trophy was imagined with all of that in mind.
Its silhouette comes from the eight forts that sit along the race route, each a reminder of strategy, resilience, and the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Those forts don’t just mark geography; they represent the spirit that built Pune’s identity. Their influence appears in the trophy’s eightfold structure and in the eight-faced mudra, a quiet nod to the city’s heritage and the stories it carries forward.
At its heart, the trophy opens into a swirling cavity; almost like a breath drawn inward- mirroring the shape of a velodrome. Anyone who has watched cyclists train here knows the rhythm: the steady rise of speed, the discipline, the repeated return to the same line until the movement becomes instinct. That inner vortex is a tribute to that process, that private battle every rider faces long before race day.
The trophy is forged entirely from copper, honouring the craftsmen of Tambat Aali, who have spent generations perfecting a skill that requires both power and precision. The piece spans 480mm, but its real presence comes from the countless hammer strikes that form its surface. Each mark reflects the cadence of a cyclist pushing through fatigue, finding their rhythm, and refusing to fall out of motion. It is, in a way, a sculpture of perseverance.