GILGIT: Tour De Khunjrab, the first international cycling race will be starting today from Gilgit.
Pakistan is hosting about 12 teams comprising of over a hundred national and international cyclists.
The cyclists participating in the race will be spending the night in Nagar area and will be reaching Sost on May 12.
Gilgit Division Commissioner Usman Ahmed informed the media that strict security measures have been taken up to ensure security and safety of the cyclists.
He further added that, traffic at the Karakoram Highway will be suspended for the public, once the race starts.
As per reports, organizers have planned to break down the event into three stages. On the first day of the tournament, participants will be riding for about 66 kilometers (km) from Gilgit to Ghulmat. On the second day the route will take the riders to Sost after covering 110 km.
On May 13 cyclists will be departing Sost to conclude the race at Pakistan-China border (Khunjrab) of 15,300 feet.
Pakistan Cycling Federation president Haroon and Director Siyahat Muhammad Iqbal informed the media on Wednesday that International cyclists from United States (US), Afghanistan, Switzerland, Australia and Britain have arrived in Gilgit.