KARACHI, March 10: The first stage of gruelling 1934- kilometer Tour de Pakistan cycle race pedals-off from the Mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam on Friday at 8.00am.

The 11-stage event will start from Karachi and conclude at Qila Bala Hasar in Peshawar after crossing various cities of Sindh, Punjab and NWFP on famous the Grand Trunk (GT) Road.

The 205-KM Karachi to Hyderabad first stage will be flagged-off by Sindh Sports Minister Qamar Mansoor.

Besides foreign riders teams from Afghanistan, Bangladesh Germany, and Iran, cyclists representing Sindh, Punjab, NWFP and Balochistan departmental teams Pakistan Army, Wapda, Railways and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) will participate in the event.

Zahid Gulfam will defend his individual crown while Wapda are reigning team champions. A prize money of rupees one million will be distributed among the top winners.

Around 100 riders would be featuring in the race.

Besides Individual event, team contest will also be part of the race.

Following is complete stage wise details of the race:

Ist stage: Mar 11, 205-KM Karachi to Hyderabad

2nd stage: Mar 12 178-KM Hyderabad to Moro

3rd stage : Mar 13 177-KM Moro to Sukkur

4th stage: Mar 14 170-KM Sukkur to Rahimyar Khan

Mar 15 rest day at Rahimyar Khan

5th stage: Mar 16 170-KM Rahim ar Khan to Bahawalpur

6th stage: Mar 17 200-KM Bahawalpur to Multan

7th stage: Mar 18 103-KM Multan to Sahiwal

8th stage: Mar 19 178-KM Sahiwal to Lahore

March 20 rest day at Lahore

9th stage: Mar 21 176-KM Lahore to Gujrat

10th stage: Mar 22 177-KM Gujrat to Rawalpindi 11th stage: Mar 23 176-KM Rawalpindi to Peshawar.—APP