Festive Finale Sees Li Ning Star Triumph at Pune Grand Tour
In a spectacular conclusion to the inaugural Pune Grand Tour, team Li Ning Star from China emerged as the undisputed champions, dominating all stages of the cycling event. The festive atmosphere along the race route, with thousands of enthusiastic spectators cheering as cyclists passed historic landmarks like Shaniwar Wada, set the stage for a thrilling finish on January 23.
Dominant Performance by Li Ning Star
The victory came as no surprise, given Li Ning Star's consistent dominance throughout the previous stages. The team secured the General Classification with an impressive combined time of 28:41:19, showcasing their superior strategy and endurance. Luke Mudgway, the star athlete of Li Ning Star, retained the coveted yellow jersey, a prize he had held since stage one, solidifying his status as a key player in the race.
Podium Finishers and Race Highlights
Spanish powerhouse Burgos Burpellet BH, the only professional team in the event, claimed a respectable second place with a time of 28:42:09. Meanwhile, Terengganu Cycling Team from Thailand rounded out the podium in third place, clocking in at 28:48:19. The race, which began at Balewadi Stadium and wound through the twin cities of Pimpri Chinchwad and Pune, concluded at JM Road after covering over 90 kilometers. Cyclists expressed amazement at the vibrant and large crowds, noting that such support is rare for cycling events in the region.
Jersey Awards and Future Aspirations
Following his win, Luke Mudgway shared his hopes for the event's future, stating, "I am definitely going to miss the crowd... I think the race can definitely go to the 2.1 level. You definitely have the infrastructure to do it, so if it goes up another level then you are going to get bigger teams coming here. There will be more good riders, and it's going to make it a much more interesting race to follow." In addition to the overall victory, several other awards were presented. Clement Alleno of Burgos Burpellet BH earned the 'Polka Dot Jersey' as the Ghatacha Raja (King of the Mountains) with 15 points. Jambaljamts Sainbayar, also from Burgos Burpellet BH, retained the 'Orange Jersey' for the best Asian rider. Tijssen Viego of Wielerploeg Groot Amsterdam from the Netherlands once again claimed the 'White Jersey' for the best young U23 rider, and Harshveer Singh Sekhon of the Indian National Team was honored with the 'Blue Jersey' as India's top performer.
UCI Recognition and Olympic Implications
As a Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) 2.2 category event, the Pune Grand Tour offered valuable points towards qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games. Amina Lanaya, Director General of the UCI, praised the event, saying, "I think the bar has been raised very high and India, just after the first edition, has proven that it can deliver the best-class event. So, I'm really, really looking forward to working together with the local authorities, the national federation, to make cycling grow even further." Her comments, made while donning a green saree, highlighted the international significance and potential for growth in Indian cycling.
