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Bajaj Pune Grand Tour Upgraded to UCI 2.1 as Pune Builds Towards the 2032 Road Worlds
The six-stage race returns on Republic Day 2027 with a higher UCI classification, a stronger international field expected and a World Championships date already on the calendar.
Second edition: 26–31 January 2027, six stages across Pune district.
The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour has been upgraded from UCI 2.2 to UCI 2.1 ahead of its second edition, which runs from 26 to 31 January 2027. The step up comes shortly after Pune was awarded the 2032 UCI Road World Championships, making the city the first Indian host of cycling’s premier road championships.
According to the organisers, the higher classification is expected to bring a stronger international field and a higher level of racing to the city. The second edition will start on Republic Day, 26 January, and finish on 31 January.
What the upgrade means
Moving from UCI 2.2 to 2.1 takes the race from Class 2 to Class 1 on the UCI international road racing calendar. For riders and teams, the organisers say that means more UCI ranking points are at stake and a better chance of drawing stronger international participation. For fans, it should mean a more competitive field across the six stages.
Those are the numbers from the inaugural edition in January 2026, as reported by the organisers; the 2.5 million spectator figure is their estimate.
The 2027 route
The six stages link Pune city, the wider district and the Western Ghats, mixing urban roads, rural stretches, historic locations and hilly terrain. The route, as listed by the organisers:
What UCI, the district and the federation said
“Moving to UCI 2.1 reflects the progress the race has made and will provide an opportunity to bring a stronger level of international competition to Pune.”
“We can now take the competition to a higher level, bring stronger international participation to Pune and give Indian riders more opportunities to compete against experienced international cyclists.”
“It reflects the growing stature of the race and the increasing opportunities for Indian riders to compete alongside some of the best cyclists from around the world.”
The road to 2032
Pune will host the UCI Road World Championships in 2032, the first time the event comes to India. The Netherlands’ Groningen-Drenthe region was awarded the 2034 edition at the same time. The organisers say the Grand Tour will serve as a regular platform for international racing in the years before the championships, building experience among riders, officials and organisers.
The long view
A Class 1 stage race on home roads in the run-up to 2032 gives India’s riders, officials and organisers a rehearsal for the Road Worlds.