March 18, 2007 (Peshawar, Pakistan) — Robin Read (NZl) Discovery Channel Marco Polo Team won the final Stage 11, 158 km road race from Rawalpindi to Peshawar, at the 2007 Tour de Pakistan and took the overall. Canada’s Matthew Usborne (BH Bicycles/Epicentre/Team Integrale) and team mate Larry Zimich (Can) finished 3rd and 5th overall respectively.

Barb Zimich sent us the following report from the Pakistan Daily Times.

Usborne 3rd, Zimich 5th overall in Tour of Pakistan

LAHORE: New Zealand’s Robin Read won the 13th Tour de Pakistan International Cycle Race on Saturday. Read received a winner’s cheque of $3,000 and the glittering Admiral Hasan Hafeez Ahmed Memorial Trophy while Justin Kerr, also from New Zealand, received a purse of $2,000 and a runners up trophy.

Read started his arduous campaign with a terrific win over his countryman Kerr in the first stage from Karachi to Hyderabad on March 4. Read was pleased with his outstanding performance. “I ran in every stage for a win yet I also ensured that I didn’t overstress myself for fear of draining out. I always wanted to end my campaign here with a win and I am happy I am the eventual winner,” said the diminutive Read after the culmination of the final stage.

Mohammad Asif of Pakistan Railways who displayed flashes of brilliance in most of the stages finished third in the stage, 4 seconds behind Kerr. Sudeera Nilanga, easily Sri Lanka’s best rider of the two-week event finished fourth. Hassan Mukarram of Afghanistan was fifth while Canadian Larry Zimich, one of the favourites to finish in the top three, earned sixth position.

In overall standings, Canada’s Matt Usborne came on strong with a couple of wins to take 3rd place while teammate Larry Zimich finished the 1,700 km stage race in 5th spot.

Results (brief)

1. Robin Read (NZl) Discovery Channel Marco Polo Team 4.01.00
2. Justin Kerr (NZl) New Zealand National Team
3. Mohammad Asif (Pak) Railways
4. Sudeera Nilanga (Sri) Sri Lanka National Team
5. Hassan Mukarram (Afg) Afghanistan
6. Larry Zimich (Can) BH Bicycles/Epicentre/Team Integrale

Final GC

1. Robin Read (NZl) Discovery Channel Marco Polo Team 44.54.33
2. Justin Kerr (NZl) New Zealand National Team
3. Matthew Usborne (Can) BH Bicycles/Epicentre/Team Integrale
4. Sudeera Nilanga (Sri) Sri Lanka National Team
5. Larry Zimich (Can) BH Bicycles/Epicentre/Team Integrale
6. Suwaris Premachandra(Sri) Sri Lanka National Team

Team Classification

1. WAPDA 137.41.13
2. Pakistan Army 17.55
3. Sui Southern Gas Company 1.17.54