Bonello, Spiteri on top in Ta' Penellu race

The national championship got underway recently with the first mass start race at Ta' Penellu, Mellieha. This is definitely the most difficult circuit around but it gives clear indications on the level of fitness of the riders and the protagonists of the season as they climbed the Ta' Penellu hill seven times before the finish.

Team Greens rider and defending champion Etienne Bonello issued an early warning about his intentions to stay on top after winning a hard-fought race in the decisive climb.

Robert Cutajar, the Mayor of Mellieha, raised the flag to get the race started as the riders dashed away despite the strong wind.

Atop the first climb, four riders opened a gap and it immediately became clear that they were going to battle it out for victory.

These were David Galea, of Qormi Kia, Maurice Formosa, of Melita Pedal Power, and Bonello and Dutchman Bram Bongers, of Team Greens, challenged each other along the climbs.

Into the final uphill, Galea pulled off a strong attack as Bonello and Formosa tried to keep up the pace.

Galea was reeled in by Bonello when Formosa set the pace as he sprinted in the final 800 metres. The latter soon increased his speed to catch Formosa with the tiring Galea falling behind.

With just 200 metres to the line, Bonello set off on his typical explosive sprint to cross the line first in 1:26:14, Formosa was second, 14 seconds behind, while Galea finished third just 10 seconds away from Formosa.

Danica Spiteri (Team Greens) won the women's race with Marie Claire Aquilina (Mosta AF Sign Studio) second. A creditable third place went to Stephania Magri (Melita). She was making a return from a knee injury.

Andre Abela (Mosta AF Sign Studio) held the upperhand among the juniors followed by Christian Formosa (Melita).

Daniel Callus (Team Greens) won the Masters race followed by Michael Lia (Mosta) and Mark Bugeja (Team Greens). Emanuel Bezzina (Mosta AF Sign Studio) was unrivalled for victory in the Over-50 category with Anthony Borg and Michael Polidano, of Qormi, just behind.

The U-15 race was won by James Dimech (Mosta) with Daniel Borg (Mosta) and Max Micallef (Qormi) in second and third places respectively.

The race was made possible with the collaboration of the Mellieha Local Council, the police, club and federation officials and the sponsorship of Centrepoint Cycles.

Tomorrow, the Malta Cycling Federation, along with the Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport, are organising a bike ride as part of the Sports for All campaign.

The activity starts at 9.15 a.m. from near the Sliema Ferries.