Pune: India will host the UCI Road World Championships for the first time in 2032, with Pune chosen to stage the prestigious event after beating a rival bid from Groningen in the Netherlands.

The decision was announced on Wednesday at the International Cycling Union (UCI) Congress in Montreal, where the 2026 World Championships are currently being held.

Pune, a city of around seven million people located about 160 km from Mumbai, was awarded the 2032 edition. Groningen and the Drenthe region will host the 2034 Road World Championships, with the Netherlands also staging the Para-cycling Road World Championships that year.

“There were two very good, solid bids and I think we have found a good solution for both organisers,” UCI president David Lappartient said after the decision.

The award marks the first time the Road World Championships will be held in India. Pune's bid emerged relatively late in the process after the city hosted the inaugural Bajaj Pune Grand Tour, India's first UCI-sanctioned stage race, in January this year.
Also read | The medal that was missing: Mirabai Chanu finally wins Asian Games silver

India joins expanding list of hosts

The Road World Championships have historically been dominated by European hosts, but the event has increasingly expanded beyond the continent.

Canada became the first country outside Europe to host the championships in 1974, followed by the United States in 1986. Japan became the first Asian host in 1990, while Doha hosted the event in 2016.

Abu Dhabi is scheduled to host the 2028 edition, making Pune the fourth Asian host of the Road World Championships. Rwanda became the first African host in 2025.
Also read | No Europe, no problem: How Man Utd hit record £677.6m revenue despite £43m net loss

India is also preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and has expressed ambitions to bid for the 2036 Olympics.

The 2032 award gives Pune six years to prepare for its first Road World Championships. Details of the race routes and venues are yet to be finalised.

(With AFP inputs)