Media Accreditation

The Pune Grand Tour is a professional UCI 2.2 category road cycling tour conducted in accordance with international best practices for competitive cycling tours. Accredited media representatives play an essential role in documenting and covering the Tour. At the same time, strict compliance for safety, sporting integrity, and operational protocols is mandatory. These Media Regulations define the conditions under which media personnel and media agencies are authorised to operate during the Tour.

Media accreditation for all 5 days of Bajaj Pune Grand Tour is intended for media professionals working for legitimate and established media outlets. Gaining media accreditation is subject to assessment and approval by the Organiser, who reserves the right to approve or deny any accreditation applications.

Applicants are required to complete the online media accreditation form along with the documents as described below:

Please review the necessary documents carefully to ensure you submit everything correctly.

  • A passport size photo in .jpg format.
  • A valid government ID Card in jpg format.
  • A covering letter from your media outlet. The letter must include:
      • Signature of the editor.
      • Editor’s phone number.
      • Editor’s email address.

Media Accreditation Allocation

  • Print Publication: up to 4 Accreditations (up to 2 Reporters & up to 2 Photographers)
  • News Wire Agency: up to 4 Accreditations (up to 2 Reporters & up to 2 Photographers)
  • Website: 1 Accreditation (1 Reporter)
  • TV News Channel: up to 2 Accreditations (1 Reporter & 1 Cameraperson)
  • YouTube Channel (News): 1 Accreditation (Reporter/Cameraperson)

Media Opportunities / Coverage

Start Area

  • An Interview Zone will be made available for Accredited Media.  Media can request quick bytes from the riders or team managers before they go to the Start Line-up.
  • Start Line-up – there will be a exclusive area at the Start Line-up for Accredited Photographers and Accredited Camerapersons to photograph/film the riders as they wait for the ceremonial Flag-Off until immediately after the ceremonial Flag-Off.
  • Media Tent (20ft by 10ft) – for use by Accredited Media. Packed food and internet will be provided. The Media Tent will open 2 hours prior to the Flag Off and will close 30 minutes after the Flag Off.

Finish Area

  • Finish Line – there will be an exclusive area at the Finish Line for 2 Official Tour Photographers and, on a first come first served basis, up to 8 Accredited Photographers to capture the finish.
  • Award Ceremony – Accredited Photographers and Accredited Camerapersons will have access to the presentation area to cover the stage winner and jersey awards presentations.
  • Flash interviews – after the Award Ceremony, the stage winner and jersey wearers will be escorted by volunteers to an interview zone for flash interviews.
  • Media Tent (20ft by 10ft) – for use by Accredited Media. Packed food and internet will be provided. The Media Tent will open 2 hours after the Flag Off and will close 1 hour after the Award Ceremony.

Guidelines for Accredited Visual Media (TV News Channels)

The Official Broadcasters hold the exclusive rights on the moving footage of the race, while allowing Accredited Visual Media (TV News Channels) to cover the Tour key moments through defined regulations as per UCI guidelines.

  • Broadcaster Rights: UCI Tours grant exclusive rights to the Official Broadcaster. Other media outlets must respect these agreements and must not cover or broadcast any elements of the race after the ceremonial Flag-Off at the start of each stage until the start of the Award Ceremony at the end of each stage. The Official Broadcaster has exclusive rights to interviews with the Stage winner and Jersey wearers in the period from when they cross the finish line until the end of the Award Ceremony for each stage.
  • Restriction of Usage of Drone: Accredited Visual Media should note and respect the general regulation that the use of drones (with the exception of those used by the official broadcaster) are not allowed on the course or the concourse of the race route.
  • Rights Free Footage: Each race day, the organisers will share an EPK Highlight package with Visual Media houses to be used for News reporting and analysis.

Media Obligations

Media accreditation must be worn visibly at all times while operating within Tour-controlled areas.

Accreditation is strictly non-transferable.

    • Media personnel shall operate exclusively from designated working areas assigned according to their professional role (print, digital, photography, television), at both the Start and the Finish Areas.
    • Access is limited strictly to the authorised media zones. Any movement outside these areas requires prior approval from the Tour’s Media Managers.
    • All instructions issued by Race Officials, Marshalls, and Race Commissaires must be complied with immediately and without dispute.
    • Media representatives must maintain a safe and appropriate distance from riders, race convoy vehicles, and technical infrastructure at all times.
    • High-visibility media bibs or identification must be worn when issued.
    • All content captured shall be used solely for editorial purposes, unless explicit written authorisation has been granted otherwise.
    • Any safety-related concerns observed by media personnel must be reported without delay to the nearest race official.
    • Media personnel shall comply with all applicable local laws, civic regulations, and instructions issued by local authorities, road traffic including police and emergency services deployed for the Tour.

Media Prohibitions (DON’Ts)

  • Media personnel must not enter the race course, cross the roadway, or obstruct the passage of riders or official vehicles during live race conditions, except as exceptionally authorised by the PCP, the Race Director or the Technical Director.
  • Access to team areas, feeding zones, technical zones, and other restricted operational areas is strictly prohibited unless specifically authorised.
  • Any interaction, interview, or engagement with riders by the press is permitted only with prior approval from the relevant Team Management, and only within designated interview zones.
  • The use of drones or any aerial recording devices is strictly forbidden.
  • Media representatives must not livestream, commercially exploit, license, sell, or otherwise distribute race images or footage.
  • Media personnel must not distract riders, interfere with race operations, or engage in disputes with officials.
  • Media personnel must immediately suspend activity during adverse weather conditions or emergency situations if instructed to do so by Race Officials or local authorities.
  • Failure to comply with these regulations may result in immediate withdrawal of accreditation and removal from Tour-controlled areas; without prejudice to any further action deemed necessary by the Organiser under applicable regulations.