Pune: The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 delivered exactly what its program promised: a tough test of endurance, teamwork and nerve.
The Maratha Heritage Circuit, which stretches for 105.3 kilometers through Pune district, took the race deep into a landscape of forts, steep climbs and relentless descents.
The leg began at 12:30 pm from the Ladies Club in the camp and ended along Sinhagad Road in Nanded City. The stage was designed to challenge the peloton physically and mentally.
At the end of another relentless afternoon, it was once again Luke Mudgway of Li Ning Star, China (02:31:49) who was highest. After winning the first stage, Mudgway doubled his authority by winning the Maratha Heritage Circuit and retaining the yellow jersey.
The back-to-back victories have placed him firmly at the top of the standings as the race pushes deeper into the challenging terrain of Maharashtra.
Mudgway didn’t have everything his own way. Alan Carter Bettles of Roojai Insurance Winspeed, Thailand, showed a composed ride to finish second, while Yorben Lauryssen of Tarteletto-Isorex, Belgium, was third. It was Lauryssen’s second consecutive podium finish, underlining his consistency after also finishing third on the opening day.
Because of his top spot, Mudgway received a 10-second bonus, Beetles received a 6-second bonus, and Lauryssen received a 4-second bonus.
It was an intense battle and the top six riders finished the race with the same time of 02:31:49. Clement Alleno and Jambaljamts Sainbayar from Burgos Burpellet BH, Spain took fourth and fifth place, while Stefan Benetton from Eurocyclingtrips – CCN, Guam took sixth place. The rating was awarded based on a photo finish.
Speaking after the finish, Mudgway acknowledged the severity of the challenge, as the combination of heat and constant climbing turned the stage into a fight for survival long before the finish line came into sight. “It was a hot day, there were a lot of mountains, but yeah, I made it to the finish and was able to do a small group sprint again. So that suits me well. I’m glad I was able to do it again today,” said Mudgway.
Mudgway’s victory was as much about collective effort as individual strength. Two teammates dedicated themselves to the chase, allowing the climbers to conserve energy before the crucial stages of the race.
“My teammates did a great job today,” noted Mudgway. “We came here with one rider less; we only had five riders, so we knew it would be hard to control today. We had to control our two sprinters so we three climbers could rest, and then they got it back to a short enough time before the second-to-last climb.”
The crucial moment came on the final climb, a brutal second category climb that proved to be the steepest of the day. Attacks broke out as riders fought to stay in the race. From the crest the road led to a fast, narrow and very technical descent that offered little room for error and almost no opportunity to regroup before the finish.
Here, on what many considered the crowning stage of the race, the strongest riders gained control and Mudgway confirmed his growing reputation as the rider to beat.
“The teams started attacking us but I managed to keep it under control and then we kept following. After the first climb I had one of my teammates with me, he rode me to the finish and then I was allowed to sprint again and was happy I could finish it for my team,” Mudgway added.
While the yellow jersey remained with Mudgway, other classifications changed after a challenging day in the mountains. Stefan Benetton of Eurocyclingtrips – CCN, Guam dominated the climbs and took maximum points in the King of the Mountains competition, securing the “Polka Dot” jersey.
The orange jersey for the “Best Asian Rider” remained with Jambaljamts Sainbayar from Burgos Burpellet BH, Spain, whose consistency continued to impress. Dutch rider Tijssen Viego from Wielerploeg Groot Amsterdam, Netherlands was rewarded with the White Jersey as the ‘Best Young Rider’ while Sarda Manav, Indian Development Team, India led the home contingent and won the Blue Jersey as ‘India’s Leading Female Performer’ on the day.
With the Maratha Heritage Circuit now complete, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour enters its longest and most tactically complex phase.
The third stage, the Western Ghats Gateway, stretches 134 kilometers from Purandar to Baramati and climbs to an altitude of 1,024 meters. Hilly terrain, exposed roads and the risk of crosswinds promise a different kind of challenge – one that could change the race yet again.
After two days of attrition, one thing is clear: the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour requires much more than just speed. And right now, Luke Mudgway is answering every question he’s asked.
Race stages
January 22, 2026: STAGE 3: WESTERN GHATS GATEWAY (134 KM, Elevation Gain 1024 M): Day 3 covers the Deccan Plateau from Purandar to Baramati and is focused on speed and tactical prowess. Crosswinds and hilly terrain ensure participants stay on track.
January 23, 2026: STAGE 4: PUNE PRIDE LOOP (95 KM, elevation gain 578 M): The final phase winds through the urban expanse of Pune, passing through modern and historical relevance like Shaniwar Wada, with technical sections and a dramatic conclusion.
