Luke Madge Dominates Mulshi–Maval Stage; Harshveer Singh Honored as Best Indian Cyclist Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026

Pune, Jan 2026 : In the Mulshi–Maval stage of India’s first-ever UCI 2.2 category international multi-stage cycling race, Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, Luke Madge of China’s Li Ning Star team delivered a spectacular performance, asserting undisputed dominance, while Harshveer Singh Sekhon of the Indian national team earned the distinction of Best Indian Cyclist.

The first stage, 87.2 km Mulshi–Maval Miles, started from TCS Circle, Hinjewadi. Luke Madge completed the race in 2 hours 21 seconds, taking the decisive lead in the final moments to secure victory. The stage was fast-paced and technically challenging, testing riders’ endurance and skill.

Andreas Matildas of Estonia’s Quick Pro Team finished second (02:00:27), and Jorben Laurison of Belgium’s Tarteletto–Isorex team took third place (02:00:30). According to UCI rules, the top three finishers received time bonuses of 10, 6, and 4 seconds, which will be crucial for subsequent stages.

During the race, a minor accident occurred among riders in the second group after the first checkpoint. For safety and in accordance with UCI protocols, the race was paused for about 23 minutes. After prompt assistance from medical and technical teams, the competition resumed.

Post-stage, jerseys were awarded to leaders across various categories. Luke Madge earned the Yellow and Green Jerseys for general classification and points classification. Christian Raylenu (China) received the Polka Dot Jersey as the best climber, Jambaljamts Sainbayar (Mongolia) the Orange Jersey as best Asian rider, Tamar Spiero (Netherlands) the White Jersey as best young rider, and Harshveer Singh Sekhon received the Blue Jersey as the best Indian cyclist.

The winners were honored by dignitaries including MP Medha Kulkarni, MLA Uma Khapre, Amit Gorakhe, Shankar Jagtap, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner Shravan Hardikar, and Police Commissioner Vinaykumar Chaubey.

Attention now turns to the second stage, Maratha Heritage Circuit, on January 21, a challenging 105.3 km route with a 1,051-meter elevation, passing through Purandar Fort, Sinhagad, and Khadakwasla Lake, designed to test riders’ endurance.

Organized jointly by Pune District Administration, Government of Maharashtra, and Cycling Federation of India, the five-day race features 171 international cyclists from 35 countries, covering a total of 437 km, showcasing Pune’s cultural and historical heritage on the global stage.

Upcoming Stage Schedule:
▪ January 21: Stage 2 – Maratha Heritage Circuit (105.3 km)
▪ January 22: Stage 3 – Western Ghats Gateway (134 km)
▪ January 23: Stage 4 – Pune Pride Loop (95 km)

Team Maverick.