Pune has won the bid to host the UCI Road World Championship 2032, marking the first time the premier global cycling event will be held in India. The decision was confirmed on 24 September 2026 at the UCI Congress in Montreal, Canada, following a final candidature presentation by the joint team representing the Government of Maharashtra and the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), backed by the Government of India.

How Pune Won the Bid

Pune and the Netherlands' Groningen/Drenthe were the last two contenders after Colombia and Mexico were eliminated from the race. A three-member UCI inspection team visited Pune from 4–6 September to assess proposed venues and race infrastructure, including Balewadi Stadium and the Pune University circuit. Both finalists presented their candidatures in Montreal during the 2026 UCI Road World Championships before the final announcement at the Congress.

Maharashtra's senior delegation — which included Ranjit Singh Deol, Principal Secretary, School Education and Sports Department; Deepak Singla, Commissioner, Sports and Youth Services; Rajesh Deshmukh, Secretary to the Deputy Chief Minister and Sports Minister; Jitendra Dudi, District Collector, Pune; Maninder Pal Singh, Secretary General, CFI; and Onkar Singh, Former Secretary General, Asian Cycling Confederation — made the formal presentation in Montreal.

What the UCI Road World Championship Represents

The UCI Road World Championship is one of cycling's most watched annual events. The 2025 edition in Kigali attracted 734 riders from 113 countries, drew two million spectators, and generated a cumulative television audience of nearly 300 million viewers worldwide. Hosting the 2032 edition places Pune among a select group of global cities that have staged the event.

David Lappartient, President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), said the assessment of Pune's infrastructure was highly positive. 'The report on the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour presented to the UCI Management Committee by the delegation led by Pune District Collector Mr Jitendra Dudi is extremely encouraging. Cycling continues to develop in new territories where it has the potential to become a leading sport. India is a country where our sport has a bright future, thanks to the commitment and enthusiasm of key stakeholders,' Lappartient said.

What It Means for Pune and Indian Cycling

Jitendra Dudi, District Collector, Pune, described the win as a defining milestone. 'This is a defining moment for Pune and the result of a shared vision between the Government of Maharashtra and the Cycling Federation of India. Hosting the UCI Road World Championships is not simply about hosting a cycling race; it places Pune and India on one of international cycling's most visible annual stages, bringing together elite sport, mass public participation, global broadcasting, tourism, economic impact and destination branding,' Dudi said.

Maninder Pal Singh, Secretary General of the CFI, underscored the long-term sporting ambition behind the bid. 'For Indian cycling, this is an opportunity to move from participation to performance and from hosting international races to becoming a part of cycling's global conversation. The years leading to 2032 will be about creating stronger pathways for our athletes, coaches and technical officials,' Singh said.

India's Broader Global Sporting Ambitions

The UCI bid victory fits within India's expanding appetite for international sporting mandates. The country is also pursuing the bid to host the 2036 Olympics, and the Pune cycling championship is seen as a demonstration of India's organisational capabilities on the world stage. Proposed race infrastructure assessed by the UCI delegation included the Balewadi Sports Complex, Savitribai Phule Pune University, and proposed official hotels and event venues across the city.

With six years to prepare, India now has an extended runway to build cycling infrastructure, develop elite athletes, and attract global attention — potentially establishing Pune as a recurring destination for international cycling events beyond 2032.