Pune, Jan 21 (NationPress) Luke Mudgway of Li Ning Star, China, overcame the challenge posed by Alan Carter Bettles from Roojai Insurance Winspeed, Thailand, successfully maintaining his grip on the Yellow Jersey during the Pune Grand Tour 2026 at the conclusion of the Second Stage -- the Maratha Heritage Circuit, which spans 105.3 kilometres across the Pune district this past Wednesday.

The second stage lived up to its expectations, presenting a rigorous test of endurance, collaboration, and perseverance. The Maratha Heritage Circuit led participants through a terrain enriched with historical forts, steep climbs, and challenging descents.

Commencing from the Ladies Club in Camp at 12:30 pm and culminating along Sinhagad Road at Nanded City, the stage was meticulously crafted to challenge the peloton both physically and mentally.

As the race concluded, it was once again Luke Mudgway of Li Ning Star, China (02:31:49), who emerged victorious. After triumphing in Stage One, Mudgway reinforced his dominance by clinching victory in the Maratha Heritage Circuit, thereby retaining the Yellow Jersey.

These back-to-back victories have solidified his position at the forefront of the general classification as the race progresses through Maharashtra’s challenging landscape.

However, Mudgway faced fierce competition. Alan Carter Bettles from Roojai Insurance Winspeed, Thailand, delivered a strong performance to secure second place, while Yorben Lauryssen from Tarteletto–Isorex, Belgium, finished third, marking his second consecutive podium finish.

As a reward for his top placement, Mudgway received a 10-second bonus, Bettles earned six seconds, and Lauryssen was granted a four-second bonus.

The race was intense, with the top six riders finishing with a time of 02:31:49. Clement Alleno and Jambaljamts Sainbayar from Burgos Burpellet BH, Spain, secured fourth and fifth places, while Stefan Benett from Eurocyclingtrips – CCN, Guam, took sixth, with rankings determined by a photo finish.

After the race, Mudgway reflected on the day’s challenges, acknowledging the tough conditions and relentless climbs that transformed the stage into a battle for survival well before the finish. “It was a hot day, lots of mountains, but I managed to survive until the end, and once again, I got to sprint from a small group, which suits me well. I’m pleased to have executed that successfully again today,” Mudgway stated.

His success was also a testament to teamwork. Two teammates dedicated themselves to pacing duties, allowing the climbers to save energy for the critical moments of the race.

“My teammates performed exceptionally today,” Mudgway remarked. “We arrived with one fewer rider, just five, so we knew it would be challenging to maintain control. We had to manage our two sprinters while allowing our three climbers to rest, ensuring we were close enough before the second-to-last climb.”

The pivotal moment arrived during the final ascent, a grueling second-category climb that was the steepest of the day. As riders vied to stay in contention, the road plunged into a narrow, technical descent that left little room for mistakes and almost no chance to regroup before the finish.

It was on what many consider the queen stage of the race that the strongest riders displayed their prowess, with Mudgway fortifying his reputation as the one to beat.