All is set to hold International Tour de Khunjrab-2018 Road Cycle Race from May 11-13, 2018 under the aegis of Pakistan Cycling Federation in collaboration with Govt of Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad Cycling Federation here. The event will consist of three stages starting from Gilgit and finishing up at Khunjerab pass, bordering China. It will be the world first race to be starting from 4500 feet above sea level to a record high altitude 15400 feet above sea level with cyclists from across Pakistan, Afghanistan and Switzerland will compete.
"It is certainly a denting task for the cyclists to go through from Sakwar (Baab-e-Giglit) to Rakaposhi View point (Nagar) in the first stage of 66km, followed by the second stage of 77km to be starting again from Rakaposhi View point (Nagar) and will be culminated at Pasu and again Sost to Khujrab of 84km. The opening ceremony will be organized on May 11 at 11.00 am Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Hafiz Hafiz Ur Rehman will grace the occasion as chief guest and will formally open the race. The closing ceremony of the Tour de Khunjrab will be held in Karimabad Hunza.
All the cyclists have already arrived and had a testing round on all the three stages before going to compete on the hardest and toughest race of the world, Haroon General, the organizing Secretary of the Race told APP in an exclusive chat. This will be a road cycle race to the roof of the world and for the first time international cyclists are competing with opportunities have been given to the local male and female cyclists in order to involve them in healthy activities, he added.
Flanked by Secretary General Pakistan Cycling Federation (PCF) and International Technical Official Nisar Ahmad, Haroon General disclosed that they have visited the route and alongside all arrangements have been finalized. Chief Commissioner GB Muhammad Usman, Secretary Sports and Tourism Waqar Ali Khan, Deputy Commissioner Gilgit Sami Ullah, DC Nagar Naveed Ahmad and DC Hunza Captain Ali Asghar have paid a surprising visit alongside the media team.
Talking to media, the Chief Commissioner GP Muhammad Usman said that the race would prove a beacon of light for the youth and people of Gilgit-Baltistan. At one side it would give due opportunities to the youth of Gilgit-Baltistan to see top cyclists from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Switzerland in action besides it would also promote and highlight to the world the new venues as far as exploring tourism of Gilgit-Baltistan is concerned. He said the race will start from Babe-e-Gilgit on May 11 and will finish at Rakaposhi View Point in Nagar in the first stage, followed by two other stages. The cyclists would spend second night at Sost in Upper Hunza and will proceed to Khunjrab, situated on a 15400 feet high. The race, he said, is aimed at to promote tourism besides attracting international cyclists to come and explore new venues. "We found the Gilgit-Baltistan as fully rich and blessed by nature. Its Northern areas are as beautiful as the beautiful lush green fields of Scotland. Gilgit is one of the main cities in Baltistan Region and is the heart of Pakistan's Northern Areas, also known as the hub for Mountaineers who come from all over the world," he added.
Secretary PCF Syed Azhar Ali Khan, a former winner of the Tour de Pakistan Cycle Race, lauded Chief Minister GB for providing all out supports both financially and morally. He said Haroon is a very experienced certified coach of the International Cycling Union and had his 40-day course last year from the World Cycling Center Satellite, South Korea. Being national cyclist in way back 90s, Haroon have made all arrangements besides providing opportunities to the cyclists for practice rounds.