March 13, 2007	Tuesday	Safar 23, 1428

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LAHORE, March 12: Justin Kerr of New Zealand won the eighth stage of the 13th Tour de Pakistan International Cycle race, reaching Lahore from Sahiwal in four hours 8.44 seconds on Monday.

Kerr faced tough opposition from two Sri Lankans – Sundeera Nilanga and Suwaras Prema Chandra – who grabbed the second and third position respectively.

It was anybody’s race at the last kilometre as the top three position holders were moving towards the finishing point together. But a powerful sprint in the end gave Kerr an eight-second lead over Nilanga. Chandra completed it only after four seconds to seize the third spot in a thrilling finish.

After one-day stay in Lahore the cyclists will leave for Gujrat on Wednesday.

In all, 44 cyclists from Canada, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and hosts Pakistan paddled off from Sahiwal, but 43 reached Lahore. Railways’ Allah Ditta could not reach as he was disqualified for pulling out himself during the race. He will not be allowed to take part in the remaining stages of the race.

Results: Justin Kerr (New Zealand) four hours 8.44sec; Sundeera Nilanga (Sri Lanka) four hours 8.52sec; Suwaras Prema Chandra (Sri Lanka) four hours 8.56sec; Mathew Osborne (Canada) four hours 9.04sec.