The Tour de Mumbai continues to grow, with two races and Lance Armstrong's RadioShack team this year.
Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, President of India's cycling federation, welcomed the news. "I wish to see cycling grow, not only as a hobby, lifestyle but also as serious sport in India."
India's only UCI-sanctioned professional race will double this year to include two separate one-day races. Both are 1.1 ranked.
Teams will race in Nashik, 170 kilometres northeast of Mumbai, on February 11 and in Mumbai two days later. The Nashik race will cover 158 kilometres and the Mumbai race 117 kilometres.
Argentinean Juan José Haedo of team Saxo Bank won the inaugural Tour de Mumbai last year. He went on to win a stages in the Volta a Catalunya and Critérium du Dauphiné, and the one-day Rund um Köln race.
Organiser ID Sports will host the Mumbai Cyclothon alongside the races. Last year, it brought in nearly 7000 cyclists – from children to business groups – and this year ID Sports is aiming for 10,000.
The events help the International Cycling Union (UCI) push to globalise cycling and follow the Tour Down Under stage race this month in Australia.
Philippe Chevallier, director of the UCI's Road Department said, "We are looking forward very much to see how these races develop as international events on UCI calendar."
RadioShack is one of several top ProTeams ready to race. Second division US team, Team Type 1 confirmed its participation. ID Sports will announce the full team roster later this month.