Excitement peaked on the last day of Pune’s Grand Tour when Bollywood’s Mr. Perfectionist Aamir Khan showed up, diving into the action and applauding the city’s residents for their electric energy. The January 23 appearance turned the event into a celebrity-cyclist crossover moment.
Chatting with press, Aamir lit up: ‘Incredible fun and a smashing success. Hats off to Pune’s people and administration – their support was key to this brilliance. Cheers to Pune’s awesome crowd!’
The annual Pune Grand Tour, a top-tier road cycling stage race, kicked off January 19 and spanned 437 km across Pune’s dramatic geography: Deccan highlands, Sahyadri peaks, and endless highways. Traffic woes had dimmed cycling’s spark here, but this edition roared back with road upgrades and broad district coverage.
Riders battled clock and course after passing tough pre-race evaluations, ensuring only pros competed in the timed stages. A milestone for India: 12 cyclists, spearheaded by Asian champ silver winner Harshveer Singh Sekhon, competed in their debut UCI-recognized road event.
Global flair defined the tour, with 164 riders from 35 nations in 28 teams. Aamir’s enthusiastic nod elevated its profile, merging entertainment and endurance sports. As Pune bid farewell to the tour, its revival underscored community-driven success and the potential for world-class events ahead.