Pune’s first Grand Tour cycle race begins Jan 19
Pune, Jan 11: The maiden Pune Grand Tour, a five-day, 437-km multi-stage cycle race, will blend endurance sport with history as riders traverse the diverse terrain from January 19, with commentary highlighting the region’s heritage and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj across the Deccan plateau. Organised by the Pune District Administration with support from the Maharashtra government, the Bajaj Pune Grand Tour 2026, with one prologue and four stages, will see the participation of 171 elite cyclists from 35 countries, including France, Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, China and Thailand, the organisers said on Sunday. The 437-km race routes pass through Pune’s diverse terrain, and a well-researched literature highlighting the importance of villages, heritage sites, lakesides and iconic forts along the route has been prepared with the help of a team of Indologists, District Collector Jitendra Dudi said. (PTI)
Mortara secures Mahindra’s first podium of Formula E season
Mexico City, Jan 11: Mahindra Racing secured their first podium of the latest Formula E season as Edoardo Mortara finished second in round two of the electric racing series here. The Indian team’s other driver, Nick De Vries, could not finish the race held on Sunday. Citroen Racing’s Nick Cassidy made up 12 positions in a calculated, pitch-perfect drive to win the race ahead of Mortara and reigning champion Oliver Rowland from Nissan. “Nick had a really good race. We started to struggle mid-way through the race, unfortunately it didn’t give us the opportunity to launch in the last laps. I’m very happy with P2 and this podium, and some solid points for us,” said Mortara after the race. Mahindra Racing, who have been part of the FIA sanctioned world championship since its inception, have committed to the series’ Gen4 era (2026-27 onwards) after due deliberation. (PTI)
Top international runners to partake in Mumbai Marathon
Mumbai, Jan 11: A rich field of elite athletes, led by last edition’s runner-up Merhawi Kesete of Eritrea in the men’s section and Ethiopia’s Medina Deme Armino in the women’s field, will compete in the Tata Mumbai Marathon – a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race – on January 18. The marathon, which is into its 21st year, will offer a prize money of USD 50,000, USD 25,000 and USD 15,000 to the first three finishers in the men’s and women’s categories. In addition, a USD 15,000 will be given to anyone who breaks the existing event records in their respective categories. Kesete, who finished behind countryman Berhane Tesfay last year, will be among the favourites in a field that also has 2023 world champion from Uganda, Victor Kiplangat, South African Stephen Mokoka, and Ethiopians Bazezew Asmare and Tadu Abate Deme. Another Ethiopian, Tesfaye Demeke, who had a third-place finish last year, will also be returning to get better ratings this year. Asmare holds the fastest time of 2:04:57, recorded four years ago when he finished third in the Amsterdam Marathon. Though Kesete’s best till date in a marathon remains 2:06:36 (2021), a tactical approach can yield better results here. Ethiopians Hayle Lemi Berhanu (2:07:32) and Anchialem Haymanot (2:24:15) have held the event records since 2023. In the women’s section, Medina Armino, who finished third last year, could be the favourite as fewer top-rated runners from Kenya and Bahrain are competing this time around. (PTI)
