The higher classification is expected to bring stronger international teams and give Indian cyclists more chances to compete against experienced riders from around the world.
The six-stage race is now part of Class 1 of the international Class 2 road racing calendar. Riders and teams will also have the opportunity to earn more UCI ranking points.
The 2027 edition will begin on Republic Day and finish on January 31. The routes will cover different parts of Pune district, with a mix of city roads, rural stretches and hilly terrain.
The first stage will run from Mulshi to Hinjawadi. The other stages will connect Baramati with Saswad, Junnar with Rajgurunagar, Alandi with Lonavala-Khandala, Lonavala-Khandala with Hinjawadi, and Pimpri-Chinchwad with Balgandharva Rangmandir.
The routes will pass through historical locations, urban areas and challenging sections of the Western Ghats. The varied terrain is expected to test the riders’ speed, endurance and technical skills.
The UCI upgrade is also important because Pune has been selected to host the 2032 UCI Road World Championships. The championships will be held in India for the first time.
The Pune Grand Tour is expected to give cyclists, organisers, officials and other stakeholders valuable experience of conducting an international-level road cycling event ahead of the 2032 championships.
UCI President David Lappartient said the Grand Tour has created an important platform for the development of road cycling in India. He said the move to UCI 2.1 reflects the progress made by the event and could help bring stronger international competition to Pune.
Pune District Collector Jitendra Dudi also described the upgrade as an important milestone for the event and Indian cycling. He said the response to the inaugural edition from cyclists, teams and citizens showed the potential of the race.
Cycling Federation of India secretary general Maninder Pal Singh said the new classification would provide Indian riders with more opportunities to compete against high-level international cyclists.
The first Pune Grand Tour featured 29 teams and 171 cyclists from 35 countries. Around 2.5 million spectators were estimated to have watched the riders along the route.
The 2027 edition will expand the race to six stages and cover a wider range of Pune district’s urban, rural and hilly landscapes. The organisers see the event as an important part of Pune’s preparations for hosting the 2032 international championships.
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