On November 23, 2025, the inaugural 'Tour De Thar' — India's first international-standard desert endurance cycling race — was held on the Amritsar–Jamnagar Expressway near Bikaner, Rajasthan. The event was jointly organised by the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) and Vedanta Limited and flagged off by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal as part of the Sansad Khel Mahotsav initiative. Approximately 786 cyclists from across India and international participants competed across 100-km and 200-km formats. The event also powered Vedanta's Cycle For Zero Hunger campaign — pledging Poshan Packs (nutritious supplements) to Nand Ghar children for every kilometre cycled. The Tour De Thar marks a significant step in placing Rajasthan's Thar Desert on India's adventure sports calendar, promoting sports tourism in the region.
Tour De Thar 2025: India's First Desert Endurance Cycling Race Held in Bikaner on November 23
On November 23, 2025, the inaugural 'Tour De Thar' — India's first international-standard desert endurance cycling race — was held on the Amritsar–Jamnagar Expressway near Bikaner, Rajasthan. The event was jointly organised by the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) and Vedanta Limited and flagged off by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal as part of the Sansad Khel Mahotsav initiative. Approximately 786 cyclists from across India and international participants competed across three formats: a 300-km team event, a 200-km solo challenge, and a 100-km elite and amateur race. The event also powered Vedanta's #CycleForZeroHunger campaign — pledging Poshan Packs (nutritious supplements) to Nand Ghar children for every kilometre cycled. The Tour De Thar marks a significant step in placing Rajasthan's Thar Desert on India's adventure sports calendar, promoting sports tourism in the region. Bikaner's strategic connectivity on the Amritsar–Jamnagar Economic Corridor adds to the event's national significance for sports infrastructure development.
Key facts
- Tour De Thar 2025 was India's first international-standard desert cycling race in Bikaner.
- Approximately 786 cyclists competed in 300 km, 200 km, and 100 km formats.
- Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal flagged off the event under Sansad Khel Mahotsav.
- Vedanta's #CycleForZeroHunger campaign pledged nutrition packs to Nand Ghar children.
- The race was held on the Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway near Bikaner on November 23.
- The event places Rajasthan's Thar Desert on India's adventure sports calendar.
PYQPrelims/PYQ angle
- RAS 2024 Which latest digital initiatives are being planned by Department of Tourism, Govt. of Rajasthan under Rajasthan Tourism Policy drafted in 2024?
Mains angle
Q: Examine how the inaugural Tour De Thar 2025 in Bikaner promotes sports tourism and desert-adventure branding for Rajasthan, and its link with the Sansad Khel Mahotsav initiative.
Answer (50 words):
Tour De Thar, India's first international-standard desert endurance cycling race, was held November 23, 2025, on the Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway near Bikaner. Organised by Cycling Federation of India and Vedanta under Sansad Khel Mahotsav, around 786 cyclists competed in 300-km team, 200-km solo and 100-km elite-amateur formats, powering the CycleForZeroHunger Poshan-Pack campaign.
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Near which city of Rajasthan was the Tour De Thar 2025 cycling race held?
The Tour De Thar 2025 was held on the Amritsar-Jamnagar Expressway near Bikaner, Rajasthan on November 23, 2025.
Source: PIB
Frequently asked questions
What is 'Tour De Thar' and where was it held?
Tour De Thar 2025 is India's first international-standard desert endurance cycling race, held on November 23, 2025 on the Amritsar–Jamnagar Expressway near Bikaner, Rajasthan.
Who organised the Tour De Thar 2025 event?
The event was jointly organised by the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) and Vedanta Limited, and was flagged off by Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal under the Sansad Khel Mahotsav initiative.
What were the three race formats in Tour De Thar 2025?
The three formats were: a 300 km team event, a 200 km solo challenge, and a 100 km elite and amateur race. Approximately 786 cyclists participated across all formats.
What social initiative was linked to Tour De Thar 2025 by Vedanta?
Vedanta's #CycleForZeroHunger campaign pledged nutrition packs to children at Nand Ghar centres, linking the sporting event to a nutritional welfare cause.
What is the significance of Tour De Thar for Rajasthan's sports profile?
The event places Rajasthan's Thar Desert on India's adventure sports calendar, establishing Bikaner as a venue for international-standard endurance sports tourism.
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