Latest news with #PuneGrandChallengeTour2026
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
New velodrome worth Rs 35 crore to come up at Balewadi sports complex in Pune ahead of Grand Challenge Tour cycling
The Maharashtra government will replace the damaged velodrome at the Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune's Balewadi with a Rs 35-crore facility ahead of the international cycle race Pune Grand Challenge Tour in January 2026. 'There was a meeting called to discuss the upcoming Pune Grand Challenge Tour 2026. I proposed developing a velodrome at the state government-owned sports complex in Balewadi. It was immediately given a go-ahead by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar along with assurance of funding of Rs 35 crore for the project,' said Sports Commissioner Sheetal Teli-Ugale Monday. 'I informed the deputy chief minister that the state of the existing velodrome is so bad that the youths practising at the facility get injured after falling. The existing velodrome should be demolished and a new world-class facility should be constructed as a remembrance of starting the international cycle event in the Pune district,' she said. The new velodrome will be a symbol of the international event in Pune and will also nurture prospective cyclists for international competitions, said Teli-Ugale, adding that all damaged structures will be demolished and replaced to meet world-class standards. However, buildings and other materials that can be reused will not be reconstructed, she said. The sports directorate will work to construct a velodrome before the international cycle race competition, Ugale-Teli said. 'We are not sure whether work will be completed before the international event, as the state government has to complete the technical process of issuing a government resolution for allocating funds for the project. It is only after that that the tender process will be started, and thereafter actual work will start.' She said the planning for organising the international sports event has just begun, with responsibilities distributed to various government organisations. 'There will be frequent meetings for this purpose. The route for the cycle race will also be finalised by the concerned sports authority and informed to us. This race will pass through all terrains.' The Pune Grand Challenge Tour 2026 will be a pioneering event in India, modelled after esteemed global races like the Tour de France. This multi-stage race will cover over 600 kilometres, traversing urban, rural, and hilly terrains across various locations, including Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Baramati, Mulshi, Maval, Purandar, Bhor, and Velhe, among others. Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune. He writes on Infrastructure, Politics, Civic issues, Sustainable Development and related stuff. He is a trekker and a sports enthusiast. Ajay has written research articles on the Conservancy staff that created a nationwide impact in framing policy to improve the condition of workers handling waste. Ajay has been consistently writing on politics and infrastructure. He brought to light the lack of basic infrastructure of school and hospital in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde even as two private helipads were developed by the leader who mostly commutes from Mumbai to Satara in helicopter. Ajay has been reporting on sustainable development initiatives that protects the environment while ensuring infrastructure development. ... Read More
Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Pune to host Tour de France-model annual cycling race from next year
The Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced the launch of 'Pune Grand Challenge Tour 2026', an international-level cycling race scheduled in January, aimed at transforming the Pune district into a hub of global sports and tourism. Modelled on internationally acclaimed races like the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, the cycling event will cover over 600 kilometers across urban, rural, and hilly terrains of the district, including Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Baramati, Mulshi, Maval, Bhor, and Velhe, authorities said. The announcement came after the Pune district administration and the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was present at the event, said the annual event will establish Pune as a key destination on the global sports calendar. CM Fadnavis stated, 'Through the Pune Grand Challenge Tour, we are organising a world-class cycling competition. This will help present Pune's rich culture, traditions, and natural beauty to a worldwide audience. The event will not only promote a healthy lifestyle but also attract massive investments in tourism and industry'. Pune Grand Challenge was conceived from Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi's visionary Integrated Tourism Development Plan, designed to transform lesser-known talukas of Pune into vibrant tourism destinations. Infrastructure development has already begun in over 200 villages along the route, including road upgrades, health facilities, and digital connectivity, said an officer. A dedicated mobile app and digital platforms will offer real-time updates, tourist guides, and immersive experiences for viewers and participants, he added. Thousands of professional and amateur cyclists are expected to participate, and over 10,000 spectators are anticipated. According to the district's Integrated Tourism Development Plan, the event is expected to generate around Rs 1,000 crore in tourism revenue in its inaugural year. The initiative also aims to create over 50,000 direct jobs and support lakhs of livelihoods through tourism-related activities, rural homestays, and local crafts. The event has been recognised by the Cycling Federation of India. It is currently awaiting UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) accreditation which could soon place it on the UCI World Tour calendar. The event will be promoted globally through tie-ups with broadcasters such as Star Sports and Eurosport, and is expected to reach a worldwide audience of over 10 crore viewers. The state government is also working with corporate sponsors like Tata, Bajaj, and the Poonawalla Group to fund the event through public-private partnerships.
