Pune, Jan. 19 -- India's first-ever Continental multi-stage road race for men burst into life on Monday afternoon as the Pune Grand Tour 2026 rolled out from Goodluck Chowk near Deccan Gymkhana.

The Prologue stage of the Pune Grand Tour 2026, sponsored by Bajaj, officially launched the five-day spectacle, thereby setting the competitive tone for what promises to be a landmark week in Indian cycling.

At exactly 1:30 pm, India's Sachin Desai of the Indian National Development Team became the first rider to roll out, with the crowd erupting in chants of "Sachin, Sachin" at the start point, according to a release.

However, when the dust settled, it was Fergus Browning who stamped his authority on the opening day. Riding for Terengganu Cycl...