Connor dominates but Bonello inspires

In sport, emotions fluctuate in the split of a second. At the finishing line of the third and final leg of the Tour ta' Malta, Etienne Bonello cut a dejected figure: an agonising sprint finish at Ta' Penellu had seen him finish fourth on the day and overall.

Or at least, so he thought, because instances later he was informed that he had managed to hang on to the third overall spot with a total time of 4:50.17, news that resulted in elation for the leading Maltese cyclist.

"The Tour ta' Malta has been my aim for a number of months and I have been training very hard for it," he said once he had regained his composure.

"From the very start, I was mentally and physically prepared for all challenges. I felt ready to take on anyone and that is what I tried to do."

"This is the first time that I've finished in the top ten," he continued, further justifying his delight.

"I have to thank all the Maltese cyclists, all of whom helped me on this Tour. It was a great boost for me to see them rooting for me.

"But most of all I would like to dedicate this result to my mother. She's been through a lot lately and I wanted to do well for her."

Bonello's excellent placing was also a timely boost for Maltese cycling given the sport's exclusion from the upcoming Small Nations Games in Monaco.

"The level of the Tour ta' Malta was definitely better than that at the Small Nations," said Bonello, whose result will inspire Maltese cyclists in their attempt to qualify for the Olympics later on this year.

Ryan Connor, of Ulster Cycling, won the final race in one hour 36 minutes and 29 seconds, a victory that secured his overall success in a Tour ta' Malta that he dominated with a combined time of 4:40.31. Paul Vaughan was second overall on 4:45.36.

"It's as if he is powered by a motor" commented one local athlete, and the quality of the Irish cyclist was evident from the start.

Not even the gale force winds that marked the day seemed to have much of an influence on him. "If anything, the wind helped!" he remarked. "It gave me that wee bit of a push that I needed."

On the Tour ta' Malta, he had nothing but words of praise.

"It was very well organised, there was a good challenge and the weather was fine throughout. For me it was very enjoyable. This last day was a very hilly race where I always tend to do very well."

Italian Filippo Ballatore came second on the final day in 1:37.09 with German Matias Schnopke third in 1:37.53.

Another German cyclist, Desiree Schuler, won the final leg of the women's Tour (1.05.54), a win that also secured her overall success in a combined time of 3:45.13.

She was followed by Anne De Wildt of Noord Holland (1.08.58), who was also second overall, and Anne McFarland of Ulster Cycling (1.08.59).

Danica Spiteri, of Greens CC, was seventh on the day and the first Maltese women on the Tour in eighth place with an aggregate time of 3:51.48.

"This was my first Tour experience," she said "and it was great for me to see that I could keep up with those in front."

Although the competitive side of the Tour came to a close yesterday, all cycling enthusiasts are being invited to join in a one hour cycle today at 10.45 a.m., which will end at the Sliema Ferries.