Chief Minister Experiences the Thrill of India’s First International Cycling ‘Grand Tour’ from Davos

Pune/Davos, Jan 2026 : The international cycling competition ‘Bajaj Pune Grand Tour’, which adds a feather to Maharashtra’s cap and creates a new chapter in India’s sporting history, commenced today. As this is the country’s first-ever international ‘Grand Tour’ cycling event, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took time out from his busy schedule in Davos to watch the live telecast of the competition.

The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour has earned global prestige comparable to renowned events such as the Tour de France. Before leaving for the industrial conference in Davos, Chief Minister Fadnavis had welcomed cyclists from across the world at the inauguration ceremony. Even while being busy in Davos signing memorandums of understanding with various industry bodies for the industrial development of the state, he remained connected to Maharashtra and Pune. To enjoy this competition, which plays an important role in promoting the state’s sporting culture, he experienced the thrill of the race by watching the live broadcast on the laptops of accompanying officials.

While witnessing this historic moment, the Chief Minister also praised the skills of the cyclists. He expressed happiness on seeing the response received by the cyclists in Pune, the festive atmosphere in the city, and the enthusiasm of the youth who had gathered to encourage the participants. He expressed confidence that this competition would inspire the state’s sports sector and that Pune’s long-standing identity as a “cycling city” would emerge in a new and renewed form.

Chief Minister Fadnavis is in Davos to attend the World Economic Forum. Despite his packed schedule throughout the day, and keeping in mind the time difference between the two countries, he expressed a keen desire to watch the live telecast of the competition. Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister’s Secretariat Ashwini Bhide, Principal Secretary Dr. Shrikar Pardeshi, Principal Secretary of the Industries Department P. Anbalagan, Development Commissioner Dipendrasingh Kushwah, and Managing Director of the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation P. Velarasu also watched the live telecast and enjoyed the competition.

On one hand, Maharashtra is witnessing the signing of MoUs worth thousands of crores of rupees with industry groups from various countries to attract large-scale investments; on the other hand, the special attention given to this historic development in the state’s sports sector is certainly encouraging for sports in Maharashtra. The global recognition received by this first-ever ‘Grand Tour’–format cycling competition in India has become a matter of pride for the sporting world.

With international-standard rules, state-of-the-art organisation, and the participation of renowned cyclists from several countries, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour has firmly placed Pune on the global cycling map. Chief Minister Fadnavis experiencing the thrill of this competition from an international platform like Davos has proved to be a major source of encouragement for the organisers, athletes, and sports enthusiasts alike, and it will undoubtedly strengthen the sporting culture in Maharashtra.

Team Maverick.