India to host World Cycling Championship for first time ever in Pune

India will host the 2032 UCI Road World Championships for the first time in their more than century-long history, bringing the country onto the global road cycling stage.

The event to be held in Pune will also create opportunities for athletes, boost tourism and encourage wider participation in the sport, Cycling Federation of India (CFI) president Pankaj Singh said.

Singh, who is also a Noida MLA, said hosting the prestigious event would help strengthen the country’s cycling ecosystem.

“Hosting such a prestigious championship will help promote cycling in India and open up new opportunities in tourism as well,” Singh said.

The championships could give Indian cyclists greater exposure to international competition and encourage more young people to pursue the sport professionally.

India will become the fourth Asian country to host the event. Singh has been advocating the country’s bid since taking charge of the CFI.

Beyond competitive sport, the event could promote cycling as a practical option for short-distance urban travel. Safer roads and dedicated cycling lanes would be essential to encouraging wider everyday use and reducing dependence on motor vehicles, pollution and carbon emissions.

The championships are expected to create opportunities for tourism and related economic activity while showcasing India’s ability to host major international sporting competitions.

For Pune, the event could bring greater international visibility and improvements to sporting facilities. Its lasting impact will depend on whether investments translate into sustained support for athletes, grassroots participation and safer cycling after the championships conclude.

The 2032 edition offers India an opportunity to turn a major international sporting event into lasting gains for competitive cycling and urban mobility.

Published on October 26, 2026