Pune Grand Tour 2026 Captivates Spectators and International Teams
At precisely 12:38 pm on a Thursday afternoon in Pune, a mother and her son stood firmly gripping a metal barrier, surrounded by a swelling queue of spectators who had just witnessed a spectacular flag-off. As the crowd began to disperse, the mother inquired in Marathi to a passerby, "Won't they come again?" The response was a simple, regretful shake of the head: "No." Disappointed, she held her son's arm and soon vanished into the sea of countless heads at Chandan Tekadi, Saswad Municipal Council.
A Break from Routine Life
The narrow two-lane road, typically lined with vegetable and fruit vendors, was transformed that afternoon into a packed corridor of people shoulder to shoulder, all eager for a glimpse of something unfamiliar yet magnetic. For many residents, the Pune Grand Tour may not have signified UCI points, but it offered a refreshing break from their daily routines, with a sporting spectacle unfolding right in their city.
Cameron Nicholas Scott, still wide-eyed after winning Stage 3, exclaimed, "Never seen such a big crowd in my entire life." As the peloton surged into Baramati and approached the finish at Vidya Pratishthan, Pencil Chowk, the frequent roars from the crowd could be heard from several kilometers away. Scott of Li Ning Star, China, clocked 03:04:13 to edge out Georgios Bouglas of Burgos Burpellet BH, Spain, with Timothy Dupont of Tarteletto–Isorex, Belgium, completing the podium.
International Teams Praise Hospitality and Organization
Despite missing the podium, Mudgway retained the Yellow Jersey as overall leader and also claimed the Green Jersey for best sprinter. However, beyond the numbers and jerseys, the standout feature was the reaction of teams experiencing India for the first time.
When asked about his experience, a French team member, struggling for words, simply smiled and said, "Good, good." In contrast, Amalia Langham, manager of Australia's Nex Velofit, was more expressive. "It's been such a good experience. Everyone's really hospitable. People are always offering a helping hand," she told TimesofIndia.com on the sidelines of the event.
From a competitive standpoint, Langham felt the organizers had exceeded expectations. "The roads are beautiful. The boys are loving the racing. It's a big field; it has a bit of everything. We really appreciate the invite and the opportunity to race here. We've loved every minute and hope to come back next year," she added. When asked about areas for improvement, Langham paused, maintaining her smile. "Honestly, it's really hard to find negatives. Even traffic management has been a pleasant surprise. The roads are clear. Anything you need, the organizers are ready to help."
Logistical Challenges and Learning Curves
The English team Schils–Doltcini, competing with a depleted lineup after crashes and illness, was equally appreciative of the hosting standards. Mike Cross, Sports director, noted, "The hosts have been great. We get looked after nicely. The racing is hard, but it's good." However, Cross pointed out that the logistical demands of a multi-stage race in a new cycling market posed challenges, particularly the long transfers between stages.
"Today was quite a big transfer and this evening is going to be a really, really big transfer home," he explained. "That's six hours in the day in a car, and that's not ideal for racing." While acknowledging the strain on riders, Cross framed it as part of the learning curve for a first edition. "That's something that can be worked on. They've learned long and hard already, and with experience, these things get better. Overall, it's been good. For a first edition, they've done a really solid job."
Energized Atmosphere and Community Support
From Asia, the Philippines' Victoria Sports Pro Cycling Team found themselves energized by the atmosphere. Assistant sports director Ryan observed, "A lot of people are waiting on the roads. They don't care about the heat or humidity. They just want to witness this phenomenal event." He described the organization as "phenomenal" and felt the level of competition, for an inaugural UCI 2.2 race in India, was "really tough."
Back in Saswad and Baramati, long after the riders had vanished down the road, many spectators lingered, some discussing the race, others simply soaking in the moment. For them, the Pune Grand Tour may have passed in a flash, but the memory of finding a spot at the front row of the crowd is something destined to linger far longer.
