ISLAMABAD: The first international cycling race, Tour de Khunjrab, is scheduled to start Friday from Gilgit.

Over a hundred cyclists including those from other countries in 12 teams will take part in the race. They will spend the night in Nagar and reach Sost on Saturday, a private news channel.

According to Gilgit Division Commissioner Usman Ahmed, strict security measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of the cyclists. He said traffic would be suspended at Karakoram Highway when cyclists would be passing from there.

In the third and final round, participants will end the race at the Pakistan-China border, in Khunjrab that lies at an elevation of 15,300 feet

International cyclists participating in the race have come from United States, Afghanistan, Switzerland, Australia, and Britain announced Pakistan Cycling Federation President Haroon and Director Muhammad Iqbal while speaking to media on May 9.