Pune: A three-member team of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) inspected Pune’s proposed cycling infrastructure, race routes and venues during a three-day recce from Sept 4 to 6, ahead of Maharashtra’s presentation of the city’s candidature to host the 2032 UCI Road World Championships in Montreal, Canada, on Sept 22.During the recce, the UCI team visited the Balewadi Sports Complex to assess proposed start and finish locations for championship events. It also inspected Savitribai Phule Pune University and surrounding areas for route planning and event operations.Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi said the recce gave UCI officials a chance to see the city’s infrastructure and administrative preparedness firsthand.“The team also assessed hospitality and accommodation infrastructure in Pune. It reviewed the city’s preparedness in terms of race infrastructure, routes, accommodation, spectator management, technical requirements and overall operations required for a global cycling event,” Dudi said.The UCI delegation comprised UCI sports director Peter Van den Abeele, UCI strategic sports manager Matthew Knight and UCI World Championships awards and projects coordinator Guillaume Romeyer. Senior officials from the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) accompanied them.The delegation was also taken through the operational experience of the Pune Grand Tour, with its race routes and arrangements demonstrated using the actual race convoy and operational setup. Officials said the experience and coordination developed around the Pune Grand Tour would form the foundation for hosting the larger international championship.“The experience gained through the Pune Grand Tour, along with the state’s infrastructure and administrative preparedness, gives us confidence as we take this bid forward. We are looking forward to presenting Maharashtra’s vision for the 2032 championships in Montreal on Sept 22,” Dudi said.A high-level Maharashtra delegation will make the presentation in Montreal. It will include Dudi, principal secretary of the school education and sports department Ranjit Singh Deol, sports and youth services commissioner Deepak Singla and secretary to the deputy chief minister and sports minister Rajesh Deshmukh.The delegation will present Pune’s proposed infrastructure, race planning, organisational capabilities and operational preparedness, along with the Maharashtra govt’s support for hosting the championships.The host city and country for the 2032 UCI Road World Championships are expected to be announced at the UCI Congress on Sept 23.
