Luke Mudgway of Li Ning Star, China, successfully challenged Alan Carter Bettles of Roojai Insurance Winspeed, Thailand, to maintain the Yellow Jersey at the Pune Grand Tour 2026 following the conclusion of the Second Stage—the Maratha Heritage Circuit. This stage covered a distance of 105.3 kilometres in Pune district on Wednesday.
Second Stage Overview
The second stage lived up to its promise, testing the riders’ endurance, teamwork, and resolve. The Maratha Heritage Circuit featured a landscape rich with forts, steep gradients, and challenging descents. Starting from the Ladies Club in Camp at 12:30 PM, the race concluded along Sinhagad Road at Nanded City, pushing the peloton both physically and mentally.
By the end of this grueling stage, Luke Mudgway (02:31:49) stood out once again. After winning Stage One, Mudgway reinforced his dominance by securing victory on the Maratha Heritage Circuit and retaining the Yellow Jersey. His consecutive wins place him firmly atop the general classification as the race progresses through Maharashtra’s testing terrain.
Competitive Highlights
Mudgway faced stiff competition. Alan Carter Bettles finished second, while Yorben Lauryssen of Tarteletto–Isorex, Belgium, took third place. This marked Lauryssen’s second consecutive podium finish, following his third-place result on the opening day.
Due to his top finish, Mudgway earned a 10-second bonus, Bettles received a six-second bonus, and Lauryssen was awarded a four-second bonus. The race was intensely competitive, with the top six riders finishing at the same time of 02:31:49. Clement Alleno and Jambaljamts Sainbayar of Burgos Burpellet BH, Spain, finished fourth and fifth respectively, while Stefan Benett of Eurocyclingtrips – CCN, Guam, placed sixth. The rankings were determined through a photo finish.
Mudgway’s Reflections
After the race, Mudgway acknowledged the challenge presented by the heat and constant climbing, stating, “It was a hot day, lots of mountains, but yeah, I survived to the finish, and again I got to do a sprint from a small group. So, that’s what suits me well. I’m glad I could execute it again today.”
He also credited his teammates for their significant contributions, saying, “My teammates did an amazing job today. We came here with one less rider; we only had five riders, so we knew today was going to be tough to control. We had to control our two sprinters so that we three climbers could rest, and then they brought it back to a close enough time before the second-to-last climb.”
Deciding Moments
The crucial moment unfolded on the final climb, a demanding second-category ascent, recognized as the steepest of the day. Riders launched attacks to maintain their positions as they reached the crest, followed by a rapid, narrow descent fraught with peril. It was on this stage, lauded as the queen stage of the race, that Mudgway solidified his status as the one to beat.
“Teams started attacking us, but I managed to keep it under control, and then we just followed and followed. I had one of my teammates with me after the first climb; he rode me to the finish, and then I got to sprint again, and I was happy I could finish it off for my team,” Mudgway explained.
Classifications Update
While Mudgway retained the yellow jersey, other classifications shifted following a tough day in the hills. Stefan Benetton of Eurocyclingtrips – CCN, Guam, excelled in the climbs, claiming maximum points in the King of the Mountains competition and earning the ‘Polka Dot’ Jersey.
The Orange Jersey for the ‘Best Asian Rider’ remains with Jambaljamts Sainbayar of Burgos Burpellet BH, Spain, showcasing his consistent performance. Dutch rider Tijssen Viego of Wielerploeg Groot Amsterdam, Netherlands, won the White Jersey as the ‘Best Young Rider’, while Sarda Manav of the Indian Development Team topped the domestic rankings, claiming the Blue Jersey as ‘India’s Leading Performer’ for the day.
Looking Ahead
With the Maratha Heritage Circuit completed, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour now enters its longest and most tactically complex segment. Stage Three, the Western Ghats Gateway, covers 134 kilometres from Purandar to Baramati and ascends to an elevation of 1,024 metres. The combination of rolling terrain, exposed roads, and potential crosswinds promises a unique challenge ahead.
After two days of rigorous competition, one fact is clear: the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour demands more than just speed. For now, Luke Mudgway is rising to every challenge it presents.