Excelsior Sports Correspondent
Srinagar, oct 3: The Khyber 13th Tour de Kashmir cycling expedition started from Verinag today.
Saurabh Kumar a 16 year old rider from Haryana cruised to victory in first stage while as Neeraj of same State finished second. Akber Khan of Tramboo Food Industries finished third.
Earlier the event was flagged off from Verinag by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Verinag Chowdhry Aslam along with CEO Mohammad Yaseen and JKSDA Sr. Vice President Rauf Tramboo, Mohammad Yousuf, Bashir Damna and Wani Reyaz.
In the multi-stage only kind its event in the Country 50 national level riders hailing from 12 different states of Country joined by 25 local riders are competing. All along the route riders were greeted by locals with cheers and encouraging signs. During the stage riders covered total distance of 77-kilometers the competition was neck to neck.
JKSDA senior member Muhammad Yusuf said that JKSDA is organizing event in collaboration with Tourism Department Kashmir.
“The Tour has kick started today and it finished in Pahalgam without any kind of incident. The competition involved high speed cycling and neck to neck battle between the riders. However, Saurabh took an early lead from rest bunch of the cyclists that he maintained till the end. For the second place competition was tight but before the finish Neeraj sprint ahead and made second placed entry,” said another JKSDA member Bashir Damna.
Later prize distribution ceremony was held at JKTDC Resort in which first, second and third position holders were awarded with cash prize of rupees 3000, 2000 and 1000 respectively by Director Lawrence Group of Schools, Imran Muzaffer. The winner was also given yellow jersey for being overall leader after stage one.
The event is sponsored by Khyber Industries, Mirza Sons, J&K Bank, New JK Roadways and Lawrence Group of Schools.
Saurabh said that he has been practicing hard for the event and is prepared to go all the way to win this title.
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