Pune Cycling Worlds will bring the UCI Road World Championships to India for the first time in 2032 after Pune was officially awarded the hosting rights at the 195th UCI Congress in Montreal on September 23, 2026. The decision places Pune on the global cycling calendar and gives India the opportunity to host one of the sport’s biggest annual road cycling events.

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Pune Gets the 2032 UCI Road Championships

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the international governing body for cycling, announced Pune as the host city for the 2032 UCI Road World Championships. The UCI Congress was held in Montreal alongside the ongoing 2026 UCI Road World Championships. Representatives from 117 national cycling federations took part in the Congress.

Pune’s bid was supported by the Government of Maharashtra and the Cycling Federation of India, with support from the Government of India. The bid was built around developing Pune as an international cycling destination and expanding the sport’s reach in India.

The selection means the Pune Cycling Worlds will mark a first for India. The country has previously hosted UCI-sanctioned cycling competitions, but the Road World Championships are on a much larger international scale.

What Are the UCI Road World Championships?

The UCI Road World Championships are held every year and bring together leading cyclists from around the world. The programme includes road races and individual time trials across different age and competition categories.

The elite men’s and women’s road races are among the main events. Riders compete for the UCI world champion title and the distinctive rainbow jersey, which is worn by the reigning world champion during the following season.

The event has a long international history. The 2026 edition is being held in Montreal from September 20 to 27. Montreal is hosting the championships for the second time, after previously staging the event in 1974.

Pune’s Recent Cycling Development

The decision comes after Pune hosted the inaugural Bajaj Pune Grand Tour in January 2026. The race was India’s first UCI 2.2 multi-stage road race and covered 437 kilometres across four stages, along with a prologue. It attracted 29 teams and 171 riders representing 35 countries.

New Zealand’s Luke Mudgway won the inaugural Pune Grand Tour. The race passed through different parts of Pune district and included urban roads, the Deccan Plateau and the Sahyadri ranges. Its international field gave Pune experience in managing a large professional road cycling event.

The Grand Tour also attracted large crowds along the route. Its success helped demonstrate Pune’s ability to organise international-level road cycling competitions before the city submitted its bid for the 2032 World Championships.

UCI Inspected Pune’s Proposed Infrastructure

The UCI had already examined Pune’s proposed cycling infrastructure before the final decision. A three-member UCI team visited the city from September 4 to 6, 2026 to inspect proposed routes, infrastructure and venues.

The inspection included the Balewadi Sports Complex, which was considered for start and finish areas. The assessment was part of the process before Maharashtra presented Pune’s final candidature at the UCI Congress in Montreal.

The 2032 championship will require extensive planning because road cycling events cover long distances and pass through multiple roads and areas. Traffic management, road quality, athlete facilities, medical support, broadcasting infrastructure and spectator arrangements will all be important parts of preparations.

Netherlands to Host the 2034 Edition

The UCI also announced the host for the 2034 UCI Road World Championships. The provinces of Groningen and Drenthe in the Netherlands were selected to host the 2034 Road World Championships along with the Para-cycling Road World Championships.

The two announcements form part of a wider UCI programme for future World Championships. The organisation announced hosts for 19 UCI World Championships across 11 countries during its 2026 Congress.

Pune and India’s Cycling Growth

The Pune Cycling Worlds can also create a longer-term opportunity for the development of road cycling in India. Hosting a major international event can require improvements in race routes, cycling facilities, event management and athlete support systems.

India already has a growing domestic cycling community, with road racing, track cycling, mountain biking and other disciplines developing through national and international competitions.

The Pune Grand Tour provided an early example of international participation. Its 2026 field included cyclists from Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania, while Indian riders competed alongside international teams.

Global Cycling Comes to India

The 2032 championships will bring riders, teams, officials, support staff and cycling fans from different countries to Maharashtra. The event will also provide an international platform for Indian cyclists to compete in front of a home audience.

UCI President David Lappartient said the decision could support both competitive cycling and everyday cycling in India. The UCI’s official statement described the Pune event as the first UCI Road World Championships to be held in India.

Preparations for the Pune Cycling Worlds will take several years. The city will need to develop detailed race routes and event infrastructure while working with cycling authorities and different government agencies.

The 2032 championship will follow several major international sporting events being hosted in India and adds another global event to the country’s growing sports calendar. For Pune, it builds on the city’s 2026 experience with the Pune Grand Tour and puts the city on the international road cycling map.