Cycling Enthusiasts Gear Up for Pune Grand Tour with Test Rides
Excitement builds in Pune as cycling groups actively conduct test rides on the route for the upcoming Pune Grand Tour. This major international cycling event, modeled on the Tour de France, is scheduled to begin on January 19. It will cover a challenging distance of 437 kilometers, divided into four distinct stages.
Promotional Rides Assess Route Challenges
A series of promotional rides are currently underway to evaluate the course. The latest test ride was organized by the Indo Athletic Society. This group is led by a lawyer and includes members such as doctors and engineers. More than 100 cyclists participated in this event, navigating a scenic 91-kilometer segment.
Advocate Gajanan Khaire, President of the Indo Athletic Society, shared his insights. He has been cycling for the past 14 years. "This route is part of Phase 3," Khaire explained. "It takes cyclists through Paud, Tikona, Pavananagar, and Chandkhed before concluding at D Y Patil College in Akurdi." He described the ride as a challenging mix of ups and downs with significant elevation gains.
Administration and Volunteers Collaborate
Bapusaheb Gaikwad, Joint City Engineer from the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, flagged off the Indo Athletic Society's ride. Gaikwad, who cycles 100 to 200 kilometers weekly, emphasized the importance of these test runs. The district administration is actively seeking support from various cycling groups to conduct these promotional rides.
District Collector Jitendra Dudi highlighted the benefits. "These cyclists will also work as our volunteers," Dudi stated. "They are aware of the terrain, which helps us identify areas for improvement along the route." Another trial run involved 17 cyclists and commanding vehicles to ensure participant safety during the actual event.
Local support played a crucial role in the test ride. Pramod Balkawade from the Mulshi Disaster Management team provided breakfast, ambulance services, and other essential arrangements. This collaboration ensures a smooth experience for all participants.
Indian Teams Prepare for International Competition
The Pune Grand Tour will feature 171 cyclists from around the world, including 12 from India. Maninder Pal Singh, Secretary General of the Cycling Federation of India, confirmed that India is fielding two teams. These are the Indian National Team and the Indian Development Team.
The Indian National Team includes riders such as Harshveer Singh Seekhon, Naveen John, and Surya Ramesh Thathu from Pune. Krishna Nayakodi and Manjeet Singh are on standby. The Indian Development Team comprises cyclists like Niraj Kumar, Sachin Desai, and Manav Sarda, with Dilawar Singh as a standby rider.
This event marks a significant milestone as India's first major international cycling competition. Cyclists are testing their endurance and expertise on the demanding routes. The community's involvement through test rides ensures the event will be well-organized and safe for all competitors.
