From Rajasthan to Tour de France: 18-year-old Harshita Jakhar creates history

JAIPUR: Harshita Jakhar, an 18-year-old from Rajasthan, created history by being the first Indian woman to feature in the world-famous Tour de France. Harshita is one of the eight riders specifically selected by the Union Cycliste Internationale to compete in the Tour de France Femmes; the women's section of the Tour. The other seven are from Chile, Algeria, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Namibia and Uganda. Their special race will take place before the professional riders compete in the Tour de France Femmes.

Harshita, a winner of several medals at the junior level in India, is now competing at the senior level. Harshita trains under her father, Rakesh Jakhar, at the Sports Authority of India National Centre of Excellence in Patiala. Rakesh Jakhar is a former Commonwealth Games cyclist. Harshita is preparing to participate in the Asian Games to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, next month.