MS Dhoni named Goodwill Ambassador for Pune Grand Tour 2026

Former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been appointed the Goodwill Ambassador for the Pune Grand Tour 2026, India’s first international multi-stage professional road cycling race, scheduled to be held from January 19 to 23 in Pune.

Dhoni’s association comes at a significant moment as India prepares to mark its entry into the global professional cycling calendar. As Goodwill Ambassador, he will help enhance the visibility of the event and promote cycling as a competitive sport, particularly among young athletes.

The Pune Grand Tour 2026 will be India’s first-ever UCI 2.2 category, five-day Continental Road Cycling Race for men. The event will see riders compete across a challenging 437-km course traversing the Deccan Plateau and the Sahyadri Range, featuring sharp bends, varied terrain and demanding elevations. A total of 171 riders from 29 teams representing 35 countries across five continents are set to participate.




Known for his focus on fitness, discipline and endurance, Dhoni’s values closely mirror the demands of professional cycling. His involvement is expected to lend credibility and momentum to the event, positioning it as a milestone in the growth of the sport in India.

Commenting on his association, MS Dhoni said, “I’m happy to be associated with Pune Grand Tour in promoting the sport. With the emergence of Pune Grand Tour, India is peddling into a new chapter in cycling as a professional sport. I wish the organisers, the Pune District Administrators, great success with the initiative and all the riders the very best. A special mention to the Indian National Team, this is their moment to shine in front of home fans and bring glory to the nation.”

The international field will be led by Spain’s Burgos Burpellet BH, ranked 27 in the UCI rankings, the highest-ranked team in the race. They will be followed by China’s Li Ning Star (ranked 36) and Malaysia’s Terengganu Cycling Team (ranked 37).

India’s challenge will be spearheaded by the country’s most decorated cyclist Naveen John, representing the Indian National Team. Hosts India will also field an Indian Development Team, giving a total of 12 Indian riders, along with four substitutes, the opportunity to compete on home roads at the nation’s first UCI 2.2 event.

Organised by the Pune District Administration under the aegis of the Cycling Federation of India and the Government of Maharashtra, the race will pass through nine talukas and over 150 villages, combining elite competition with a showcase of Pune’s cultural heritage, historic landmarks and rural tourism.

The event will open with a 7.5-km prologue at Goodluck Chowk on January 19, followed by four stages covering Mulsi-Maval, the Maratha Heritage Circuit, the Western Ghats Gateway and the Pune Pride Loop, culminating in a city-based finale on January 23.

With extensive infrastructure upgrades carried out to meet UCI standards, the Pune Grand Tour aims to re-establish Pune’s legacy as India’s ‘Cycle Capital’ and position the country as an emerging destination for international cycling and sports tourism.

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