Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 5: Waheed Ahmad Ganai won the 3rd stage of ongoing Khyber 13th Tour de Kashmir cycling expedition held from Humhama Chowk to Dodapathri today.
With this win Waheed made it two in a row in the Tour after having won Pahalgam stage on Sunday.
Rajneesh of Haryana finished second while as overall leader and holder of yellow jersey Saurabh of Haryana finished third.
Earlier, the third stage of this 350-kilometre national level cycling extravaganza was flagged off from Humhama by Deputy-Commissioner Budgam, Mir Ahmad along with officials from Police, administration and organizers J&K Sports Development Association. The event is being organized by JKSDA in collaboration with Tourism department Kashmir for the promotion of cycling tourism in the State.
Terming the event as the only kind of its event in Country, Deputy-Commissioner Budgam hoped that more such event would be held in Kashmir.
The route of the third stage was uphill and in it almost all the riders from leader board met with accidents that include Umer Nabi, Akber Khan as well as leader Saurabh and Waheed. Despite the falls the race continued and event turned out to be a success.
Later prize distribution ceremony was held at Dodapathri in which first three position holders were awarded prizes by CEO, Dodapathri Development Authority, Zahoor Ahmad.
Speaking on the occasion, he said, “All the outside riders who are participating in this event are our tourism ambassadors and they will promote our tourism destination through their individual word of mouth publicity,” he said.
Akber Khan and Umer Nabi who are the two leading cyclists of the Valley met with accident during the stage have put their hopes on Gulmarg and Sonamarg stage now.
The event is being sponsored by Mirza Sons, J&K Bank, New JK Roadways and Lawrence Vidhya Bhawan.
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