Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 24: Khyber 12th Tour de Kashmir Cycling Expedition reached the tourist resort of Gulmarg today.
Bouncing back strongly, Valley’s well known cyclist Umer Nabi team Khyber, showing his strength on mountainous terrain bagged Yellow jersy from Akber Khan. Meanwhile in the third stage held from Srinagar to Gulmarg, Saket of Chandigarh surprised everyone by cruising to victory ahead of closely following Umer Nabi.
Earlier the third stage was flagged off by well-known international skier of State, Shabir Ahmad Wani along with JKSDA, Tourism and Police department officials.
Umer who missed on first stages closely knew it from start that on mountainous terrain he can make up the time he has lost during first two stages. He and Saket were riding together till 200 meter of finish line. As the Saket saw finish line he started to push hard surprising Umer with last moment trick. He finished ahead of Umer with fraction of second. Saket bagged third stage, while as Umer finished second. Jagdhish finished third, while as Hilal Sofi finished fourth. The winner of first two stages Muhammad Akber of Team Magpie finished fifth.
By cruising two minutes ahead of Akber and other closely following riders, Umer Nabi grabbed the leaders Yellow jersy from Akber while as Saket grabbed stage winner green jersy.
With only two stages left in the event, the fourth stage from Gulmarg to Tangmarg, the total steep downhill will be real challenge for both riders and organizers.
In the 5-stage first of its kind cycling event being held in the Kashmir, around 55 cyclists including national level riders are participating.
For making this 5-stage mega cycling event organized for the promotion of cycling Tourism in the State incident free Traffic Police and Health Department have made sufficient arrangements all over the expedition route. The traffic squad is being led by SP Traffic, Manzoor Ahmad.
The event has been organized by J&K Sports Development Association (JKSDA) in collaboration with JK Tourism and Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK).
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