LAHORE, Nov 20: Malik Mohammad Bashir whose department was earlier banned from taking part in the National cycling championship and was later allowed to race under a court order, grabbed the first gold medal for defending champions Wapda in the 100km Road Race on Sunday.

Wapda, who have been champions for decades, were shocked when the Pakistan Cycling Federation denied them participation under the pretext that two of their cyclists Zulfiqar Ali and Dilsher Ali had tested positive in a dope test conducted on them in India during the first India-Pakistan Punjab Games.

The two cyclists moved the court, which permitted them to take part in the national event.

Bashir clocked 1:34.33 seconds to win gold but not before overcoming stiff challenge from Sohail Ahmed (Railways), who crossed the finishing line only 20 microseconds behind the leader clocking 1:34.53 seconds.

Sui Southern Gas seized the bronze when Muhammad Naeem covered the distance in 1:34.59 seconds.

Results: Malik Muhammad Bashir (Wapda) 1:34.33 sec, Sohail Ahmed (Railways) 1:34.53 sec, Muhammad Naeem (SSGC) 1:34.59 sec, Asmat Ali (Army) one hour 35.35 sec, Muhammad Yasir (Sindh) 1:42.22 sec, Saddique Masih (Punjab) 1:42.23 sec.