LAHORE – Mohammad Shabir of WAPDA won the first stage of the 16th Tour de Pakistan International Cycle Race, which started from Mazar-e-Quaid, Karachi on Tuesday.
The colourful opening ceremony was held at Mazar-e-Quaid, during which Dr Syed Muhammad Ali Shah, Minister for Sports Government of Sindh, flagged off the cyclists.
Dr. Syed Muhammad Ali Shah briefed the cyclists, City Government officials and Sports organisers regarding the cycling event’s popularity in Pakistan.
He disclosed that the Sindh govt will also organize the Tour de Sindh cycle race in April. At opening ceremony, Afghanistan Cycling Federation President and Team Manager Ustad Sadiq presented a souvenir (chogah) to Dr. Muhammad Ali Shah. The chief guest waved off the flag at 10 am.
Ten teams are participating in this mega event; one from Afghanistan and nine from Pakistan, including Army, WAPDA, Railways, SSGC, KPK, Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh and Fata. Today, 58 cyclists took off and 4 were disqualified by the judges. Shabir crossed the finish line, covering the distance of 150 kilometers in 4H.26M.14S.
Today, the cyclists will move towards Moro for the 2nd stage of 163 KM.
First Stage results:
1st Shabir Wapda 4H.26M.14S Average Speed: 35KM/H
2nd Muhammad Rafiq Army 4H.26M.24S
3rd Muhammad Ibrahim Wapda 4H.26M.34S
4th Sultan SSGC 4H.26M.44S
5th Naimat Ali SSGC 4H.26M.44S
6th Abdul Ahad Wapda 4H.31M.37S
