Ahmedabad Pedals onto the Global Stage as Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 Trophy Is Unveiled

From Heritage to High Performance: Ahmedabad Hosts Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 Trophy Tour

• Bilkul Online
• Ahmedabad l 25 Dec 2025

The prestigious, heritage-inspired Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 Trophy was unveiled today in Ahmedabad, marking the city as the fourth stop on the nationwide Trophy Tour ahead of India’s first-ever UCI 2.2 classified international road cycling race. The Trophy was unveiled at the hands of Shri Harsh Sanghavi, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat and Dr. Jayarambhai Gamit, Hon’ble Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of Gujarat in the presence of senior government and sports dignitaries including  Ashwini Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Sports, Youth & Cultural Activities Department, Government of Gujarat;  Pinaki Bysack, Race Technical Director, Bajaj Pune Grand Tour;  Devendra Singh Solanki, President, Gujarat Cycling Association; Dr. Bharat Patel, Secretary, Gujarat Cycling Association; and Dr. Bhairavi Joshi, Director & CEO, BYCS India Foundation. 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 Pro- stage Elite Road race for men. The race will bring elite cyclists from across the world to compete on Indian roads, placing India firmly on the global professional cycling calendar. The Ahmedabad leg of the Trophy Tour highlights the city’s strong sporting foundation and its increasing contribution to the growth of organised cycling in India. With a growing emphasis on endurance sports, athlete development and community participation, Ahmedabad’s inclusion reflects the city’s relevance in shaping the future of Indian sport. Crafted by Pune’s renowned Tambat Aali coppersmith community, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour silverware draws inspiration from Maharashtra’s rich heritage, symbolising eight historic forts and the enduring legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. As the Trophy continues its journey across the country, it has generated enthusiasm among cycling enthusiasts, administrators and the wider sporting community. As the Trophy Tour continues its journey across key Indian cities, it builds national momentum ahead of the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, setting the stage for a landmark moment in India’s professional cycling history. 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 the 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 itself, crafted by Pune’s Tambat Aali coppersmiths, features symbols of the 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 Ahmedabad & 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. Kindly Like the shared links and Subscribe our channel. https://youtube.com/shorts/2oFlSUoRrjA?feature=share   https://youtu.be/RDUrXKGCTtg