Indian racers have found the going tough in the Pune Grand Tour 2026 against international teams. Image: Vishal Tiwari/Firstpost
News
F
Firstpost22-01-2026, 09:49

Pune Grand Tour 2026: Indian Riders Focus on Learning, Bridging Global Cycling Gap

  • The Pune Grand Tour 2026 is a UCI 2.2 event, serving as a crucial learning platform for Indian cyclists against experienced international teams.
  • Endurance coach Maxat Ayazbayev emphasizes that the race is about gaining experience in elite tactics, positioning, and peloton fighting, not immediate results.
  • Indian rider Harshveer Sekhon highlights the importance of multi-day racing experience, nutrition, and recovery, which differ significantly from domestic one-day events.
  • International riders praise the event's organization and crowd support, indicating India's potential as a future cycling destination.
  • Ayazbayev stresses the need for more consistent high-level races and the development of strong Indian continental teams to foster growth and achieve international results.

Why It Matters: Indian riders are using the Pune Grand Tour 2026 to learn elite racing tactics and bridge the gap with international cycling.

More like this

Loading more articles...