The Cycling Federation of India (CFI) has announced that India will field two elite national squads—India A and India B—for the upcoming Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, marking the country’s first-ever UCI 2.2 Road Race, scheduled from January 19–23, 2026.
To identify the strongest riders for both teams, the National Road Cycling Championship-cum-selection trials will be held from December 2–6, 2025 in Sambalpur, Odisha. Shortlisted cyclists will undergo a second round of evaluation during a National Road Race in Pune on December 28, 2025.
According to the CFI, fielding two teams will significantly widen India’s competitive pool and offer both seasoned and emerging cyclists a larger platform to compete at an international level.
The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 aims to secure Pune—and India—a permanent position in the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) global calendar. The inaugural edition will feature four stages covering 437 km across the scenic terrains of the Pune district, attracting top international riders and promising high-intensity racing.
CFI General Secretary Maninder Pal Singh said the upcoming trials are pivotal in building India’s strongest representation for the prestigious event.
“The National Championship-cum-selection trials are a crucial step towards assembling our strongest line-ups for the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026. The introduction of two teams reflects our focus on nurturing a broader pool of talent and elevating the standard of Indian cycling,” he said.
The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour is set to become one of the most anticipated cycling competitions in the country, strengthening India’s presence on the global cycling map.
