Pune, September 24 (Daily Kiran) : India has officially secured the hosting rights for the UCI Road World Championship 2032, which will take place in Pune. This marks the first time the prestigious global cycling event will be held in India.
The successful bid was a collaborative effort between the Maharashtra government and the Cycling Federation of India (CFI), with support from the Indian government aimed at putting Pune and Maharashtra on the international cycling map.
The decision was confirmed during the UCI Congress held in Montreal, Canada, where a senior delegation from the Maharashtra government presented Pune’s candidacy. The competition for hosting rights was fierce, with Pune vying against Groningen/Drenthe in the Netherlands.
A three-member UCI evaluation team visited Pune from September 4 to 6 to assess key venues such as the Balewadi Stadium and the Pune University Circuit, along with the proposed race structure.
Before the final announcement, both finalists presented their bids during the 2026 UCI Road World Championship in Montreal. Pune’s District Collector Jitendra Dudi and CFI Secretary General Maninder Pal Singh outlined the preparations and long-term plans for hosting the championship.
The UCI Road World Championship is a renowned cycling event that saw participation from 734 riders representing 113 countries at the 2025 championship in Kigali, attracting two million spectators and an estimated 300 million viewers worldwide.
For India, hosting this event presents an opportunity to develop athlete infrastructure and engagement, while also enhancing the country’s expertise in sports. It aligns with India’s ongoing interest in hosting global events, including aspirations for the 2036 Olympics.
Recently, a UCI delegation visited Pune as part of the candidacy process to review the proposed race structure, venues, accommodation, and other logistical arrangements, including the Balewadi Sports Complex and Savitribai Phule Pune University.
UCI President David Lappartient commented on the promising report presented by Pune’s delegation, highlighting the potential for cycling to flourish in new territories and the importance of stakeholder commitment in realizing this vision.
District Collector Jitendra Dudi described this achievement as a pivotal moment for Pune, emphasizing that hosting the UCI Road World Championship is more than just organizing a race. It brings Pune and India to the forefront of international cycling, fostering elite sports, mass participation, global broadcasting, tourism, and economic impact.
Maninder Pal Singh, Secretary General of the Cycling Federation of India, expressed that winning the bid is a significant step toward enhancing India’s performance in cycling and integrating into the global conversation about the sport. He noted that the years leading up to 2032 would focus on building pathways for athletes, coaches, and technical officials, while also bringing international expertise to India.
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