Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026: Massive Stage 1 Crash Near Mulshi Injures 30 Cyclists; Race Neutralised
High-speed drama and a chaotic pile-up marked the first official road stage of India’s historic UCI 2.2 race as over 30 riders were involved in a significant crash during the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 on Tuesday.
High-Speed Collision Near Kolvan Village
The incident occurred approximately 20 kilometres into Stage 1 (Mulshi–Maval Miles) on the narrow Mulshi–Kolvan Road. Riders were traveling at speeds between 60–70 km/h, jostling for position ahead of the first categorised climb, when a chain reaction in the middle of the peloton sent dozens of cyclists to the tarmac.
Eyewitnesses reported that the sudden narrowing of the road at a sharp bend left riders with little room to manoeuvre, causing a “domino effect” that impacted the second group of the peloton.
Injuries to Indian Legend Naveen John and International Riders
The crash has dealt a blow to several top-tier contenders. Indian cycling veteran and 10-time National Champion Naveen John saw his high-end carbon fibre bike severely mangled in the wreck, though he escaped without life-threatening injuries. Fellow Indian rider Dhruv Dahiya sustained a hard blow to the face during the impact.
The international contingent also suffered losses. Three riders were forced to abandon the race (DNF) immediately:
- Enzo Fuentes Caparoli (Team Pro Cycling Stats)
- Marti Riera Casanovas (Pro Cycling Stats)
- Abdul Halil Mohd Izzat (Malaysia National Team)
Others, including the UK’s Eugene Cross and several riders from the Thailand-based Grant Thornton Cycling Team, were treated for abrasions and “road rash” by on-site medical teams.
UCI Safety Protocols and Race Neutralisation
Following the crash, Edward Park, President of the UCI Commissaire Panel, enacted a mandatory 23-minute neutralisation of the race. This pause allowed medical convoys to attend to the injured and technical teams to swap out damaged equipment.
“Crashes of this nature are common in large pelotons where stakes and speeds are high,” stated Edward Park. “The situation was handled according to international safety standards, and fortunately, no hospitalisation was required for any of the participants.”
सायकलस्वारांच्या मुख्य घोळक्यामध्ये एक अपघात झाला. मोठ्या संख्येने सायकलस्वार एकत्र असताना, शर्यतीचे बदलते स्वरूप, मोठे आव्हान आणि वेगवान वातावरण. रोड सायकलिंग शर्यतींमध्ये अशा घटना घडणे सामान्य- एडवर्ड पार्क अध्यक्ष, कमिसार पॅनेल, युसीआय#PuneGrandTour2026 #GatewayToDeccan pic.twitter.com/6a6Z8PbU3Y
— DISTRICT INFORMATION OFFICE, PUNE (@Info_Pune) January 20, 2026
Luke Mudgway Secures Yellow Jersey Despite Chaos
Once the race resumed, the intensity did not waver. Luke Mudgway of team Li Ning Star (China) showcased elite resilience, powering through the technical descents of the Maval hills to win the stage in a thrilling sprint finish. Mudgway now holds both the Yellow and Green jerseys heading into the next phase of the tour.
Looking Ahead: Stage 2 Maratha Heritage Circuit
The Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026 continues on Wednesday with the 105.3km Maratha Heritage Circuit. This stage is expected to be the most grueling yet, featuring steep climbs near Purandar Fort and Sinhagad.
Local authorities have announced increased traffic diversions and stricter road-width monitoring following Tuesday’s accident to ensure the safety of the 160+ international riders remaining in the field.
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