Nation’s Pride: India’s First-Ever Bajaj Pune Grand Tour Trophy arrives in Jaipur

Inspired by Tour de France, the inaugural Pune Grand Tour 2026 celebrates India’s first step towards international cycling road race

(L-R) Shri Onkar Singh, Chairman, CFI Commissions and Former Secretary General, Asian Cycling Confederation, Shri Jitendra Dudi, District Collector, Pune, Shri Madan Rathore, Member of the Parliament, Rajasthan, Dr. Niraj K. Pawan, IAS & Rajasthan Sports Secretary, Smt. Diya Kumari, Deputy Chief Minister, Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Vidhyadhar Nagar, Rajasthan, Shri Gajendra Choudhary, Member, Rajasthan Cycling Association, Smt. Sarika Choudhary, Chairperson, Selection Committee, Rajasthan Cycling. 

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- Diya Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister, Govt of Rajasthan

Rakesh Thapliyal

Jaipur: The prestigious, heritage-inspired Trophy for the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, a symbol of India’s burgeoning prowess in professional cycling, was unveiled on Saturday at an august gathering in Jaipur, in presence of Deputy Chief Minister Smt. Diya Kumari and Shri Jitendra Dudi (IAS), Collector, Pune District – the host city for the road race.

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

Organised by Pune District Administration led by Shri 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. Recognised for its challenging tours and vibrant culture, the inaugural Pune Grand Tour not only showcases excellence but also promotes Pune and India as key destination on global cycling map.

As part of the nationwide Trophy Tour, the arrival of Bajaj 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.

Crafted by the 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.

Speaking about Pune Grand Tour, Smt. Diya Kumari, 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.”

Shri Jitendra Dudi (IAS), Collector Pune District and Race In-Charge Pune Grand Tour said, “The Pune Grand Tour 2026 is an amalgamation of focused work for 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 Tour de France, that’s our inspiration.”

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.