India’s first UCI classified 2.2 cycling road race gathers momentum ahead of its debut in January ~
Hyderabad, 27th December 2025: India’s growing cycling ambition found its next milestone in Hyderabad today as the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour Trophy arrived in the city, marking Hyderabad as the fifth stop on the nationwide Trophy Tour. The Trophy unveiling added fresh momentum to the build-up towards India’s first-ever UCI 2.2 classified international road cycling race, bringing the excitement of global cycling closer to home.
The heritage-inspired Trophy was unveiled in the presence of senior leaders from government and sport. The occasion was graced by Shri Vakiti Srihari, Hon’ble Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Government of Telangana; Advisor to Govt (Sports Affairs) and President, Telangana Olympic Association.
They were joined by Shri K. Shiva Sena Reddy, Chairman, Sports Authority of Telangana; Shri M. Ramesh, IPS, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sports; Smt. A. Sonibala Devi, IFS, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Sports Authority of Telangana; Shri Pinaki Bysack, Race Technical Director, Bajaj Pune Grand Tour; and Shri P. Malla Reddy, General Secretary, Telangana Olympic Association and Senior Vice President, Cycling Federation of India.
Organised by the Pune District Administration with the support of the Government of Maharashtra, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 is India’s premier international cycling event and the country’s first UCI recognised Continental Road Race for men. The race will see elite cyclists from around the world compete on Indian roads, firmly placing India on the global professional cycling calendar.
Hyderabad’s inclusion in the Trophy Tour reflects the city’s strong sporting foundation and its growing focus on endurance sports, athlete development and structured competition. The city has steadily emerged as an important centre for organised sport, making it a natural stop in the national build-up to the Tour.
Crafted by Pune’s renowned Tambat Aali coppersmith community, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour Trophy draws from Maharashtra’s rich cultural legacy, symbolising eight historic forts and the enduring spirit of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. More than a prize, the Trophy represents resilience, tradition and the pursuit of excellence that defines the Grand Tour.
As the National Trophy Tour continues its journey across key Indian cities, it is building anticipation and belief ahead of the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, setting the stage for a landmark moment in India’s professional cycling story.
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 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, crafted by Pune’s Tambat Aali coppersmiths, features 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 Hyderabad & 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.
