Medical teams worked overtime during India’s inaugural UCI-ranked cycling race, treating more than 50 riders for minor injuries while monitoring 164 competitors across two brutal days of climbing through the Western Ghats.
The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 brought international professional cycling to India for the first time at UCI 2.2 classification level, and the Sahyadri mountain range didn’t hold back. Steep ascents around historic forts, sharp descending bends, and January heat pushed riders to their limits—and medics to constant readiness.
“We treated everything from road rash to muscle strains to heat exhaustion,” said Dr. Priya Kulkarni, head of the event’s medical response team. “But the key metric is this: zero hospitalizations. Everyone who needed care got it immediately and got back on their bikes or recovered at team hotels.”
The four-stage race launched January 19 with a 7.5-kilometer prologue through Goodluck Chowk in central Pune. All 171 starters from 29 teams representing 35 countries underwent baseline medical checks that day, establishing health profiles that would prove crucial as the race intensified.
Stage 1 on January 20 covered 87.2 kilometers from Mulshi to Maval, cutting through Pune’s booming Hinjewadi IT corridor. The relatively flat terrain didn’t cause major issues, though several riders reported dehydration in the afternoon heat. Mobile hydration stations handled those cases without incident.
Then came Stage 2.
The 105.3-kilometer Maratha Heritage Circuit on January 21 traced a punishing route around Purandar Fort, Sinhagad, and Khadakwasla reservoir. Riders faced gradient changes that would challenge even Tour de France veterans—steep climbs followed by technical descents on roads not designed for pelotons traveling 60 kilometers per hour.
That’s where the medical workload exploded.
By the time the stage ended, medical teams had treated more than 50 cyclists for what organizers classified as “minor injuries.” The list included road abrasions from small crashes, muscle sprains from the relentless climbing, cramping in quad and calf muscles, and continued heat-related fatigue despite cooler temperatures at higher elevations.
“Stage 2 separated the contenders from the pretenders,” said Belgium’s Tom Verhoeven, who finished in the main group but needed treatment for scrapes on his left hip and elbow after touching wheels on a descent. “Those ghats are no joke. One moment you’re grinding uphill at 12 kilometers per hour, the next you’re diving down at 70 with hairpin turns every 500 meters.”
The medical infrastructure expanded specifically for this race included eight ambulances positioned at strategic points along each stage route, 12 motorcycle-mounted paramedics who could weave through the peloton, and static treatment stations every 25 kilometers. Each team also traveled with its own medical staff, creating a multi-layered safety net.
Real-time GPS tracking allowed race control to monitor every rider’s position and speed. When crashes occurred or riders showed distress, the nearest medical unit received instant alerts with precise locations.
“We weren’t reacting to problems,” explained event medical coordinator Dr. Sandeep Mehta. “We were anticipating them. If we saw a rider dropping off pace on a climb, we’d have a motorcycle medic check on them within two minutes.”
The 164 cyclists still competing after two stages—down from 171 starters due to withdrawals unrelated to injuries—represent an impressive retention rate for such demanding terrain. Several riders abandoned the race due to mechanical failures or team tactical decisions rather than medical issues.
India’s 12-member squad, the largest home contingent in the race, has drawn particular attention. Led by 23-year-old Harshveer Singh Sekhon, the Indian riders faced extra pressure performing on home roads in front of massive roadside crowds. Medical staff monitored them closely for stress-related symptoms.
“The Indian boys are holding up remarkably well,” said national team doctor Dr. Ajay Sharma. “We’ve treated a few for minor things—one needed IV fluids after Stage 1, another had muscle tape applied for a tweaked hamstring—but they’re competing at the level we hoped for.”
MS Dhoni’s involvement as Goodwill Ambassador amplified public interest far beyond cycling’s traditional Indian fanbase. The cricket legend’s social media posts about the race generated millions of engagements, though that attention also meant larger crowds along routes, creating additional safety management challenges.
Stage 2’s start at Ladies Club in Camp at 12:30 PM drew thousands of spectators. Instagram reels from local accounts like @parmaboli showed packed streets as riders rolled out, with Pune police enforcing road closures until 4 PM to accommodate the circuit. Medical teams needed to navigate those same crowded roads to reach riders in distress.
The partnership between the Cycling Federation of India, UCI, Bajaj, and Pune civic authorities prioritized safety from the planning stages. Organizers studied medical protocols from established European races like Paris-Nice and Tour de Suisse, adapting them for Indian conditions and infrastructure.
Heat management became a particular focus. January temperatures in Pune hover around 28 degrees Celsius during afternoon hours—manageable for locals but challenging for European riders accustomed to racing in cool conditions. Hydration stations dispensed electrolyte solutions specifically formulated for the climate.
“We’re not just handing out water bottles,” said nutrition coordinator Anjali Desai. “Every drink is calculated for sodium, potassium, magnesium replacement based on expected sweat rates for these temperatures and effort levels.”
The remaining two stages present different challenges. Stage 3 on January 22 covers 134 kilometers from the Western Ghats to Baramati—the longest stage and likely the most decisive for overall victory. Medical teams are preparing for extended support over that distance, with additional ambulances and treatment stations.
Stage 4 on January 23 brings riders back to Pune for a 95-kilometer circuit past landmarks like Shaniwar Wada fort. The relatively shorter distance and flatter urban profile should reduce medical incidents, though sprint finishes create their own crash risks.
Live coverage on JioHotstar and Star Sports has drawn unexpected viewership numbers, according to broadcasters. Medical incidents—when they occur—are handled with cameras cutting away to respect rider privacy, a protocol borrowed from Tour de France broadcasts.
YouTube highlights and social media clips tend to focus on the dramatic scenery and competitive action rather than crashes or medical interventions. Olympics.com featured the race in their global cycling coverage, noting India’s emergence as a potential major race host.
The success of the medical operations matters beyond just this week’s race. Pune’s ambition to become a regular stop on the international cycling calendar depends partly on demonstrating that India can safely host elite competitions. No major incidents through two demanding stages sends the right message to UCI officials evaluating future race applications.
“We’re not just running a race,” said event director Ramesh Patel. “We’re making a case that India deserves more cycling. That means world-class safety standards, not just world-class athletes.”
The medical teams themselves include international consultants who’ve worked at Grand Tours, sharing expertise with Indian doctors and paramedics. That knowledge transfer could benefit Indian cycling infrastructure for years beyond this single event.
Dr. Kulkarni emphasized that the “minor injuries” classification doesn’t mean the treatment was simple. “Road rash at 60 kilometers per hour can be quite serious,” she said. “We’re calling them minor because none required hospitalization or threatened riders’ ability to continue racing after treatment. But we’re taking every case seriously.”
The final two stages will determine whether the medical infrastructure maintains its impressive safety record through the race’s conclusion. Weather forecasts show clear conditions, which should help. The biggest remaining variable is rider fatigue—tired athletes make mistakes, and mistakes at high speeds lead to crashes.
For now, the numbers tell a positive story. More than 50 treatments for 164 riders over multiple days of extreme physical stress, with zero hospitalizations and no one forced to abandon due to injuries. By international cycling standards, that’s exceptional medical management.
The peloton rolls out for Stage 3 tomorrow morning, heading toward Baramati with 134 kilometers of racing ahead. Medical teams will be watching every pedal stroke.
