Formosa dominates Ta' Penellu Road Race
Maurice Formosa, of Melita Pedal Power Cycling Club, maintained his excellent form to claim his second consecutive win in the Road National Championships last weekend. Sunday's race was impeccably organised by the Malta Cycling Federation at the hilly...
Maurice Formosa, of Melita Pedal Power Cycling Club, maintained his excellent form to claim his second consecutive win in the Road National Championships last weekend.
Sunday's race was impeccably organised by the Malta Cycling Federation at the hilly Penellu/Mellieħa by-pass where the elite riders did seven laps of the gruelling 6km circuit.
In the top category, Adrian Sciberras (Mosta AF Sign Studio) attacked the main group at the outset but he was quickly reeled in by Mark Bonnici (Melita). Riders from Melita Pedal Power grabbed the lead in the peloton with Clive Ebejer initially setting a strong pace at the front.
Maurice Formosa broke away from the leading pack as he increased his speed at the foot of the first hill. Only David Galea (Qormi Scott), Christian Formosa (Melita Pedal Power) and Steve Sciberras (Mosta AF Sign Studio) managed to stay in touch with the Melita rider.
The leading four-strong group continued to cycle together but Sciberras and Galea could not keep up with the searing pace of the Formosa brothers who went on to open a sizeable gap on a chasing trio composed of Galea, Mark Zammit (Qormi Scott) and Etienne Bonello (Greens).
In the final two laps, Maurice Formosa charged clear of his brother Christian to win the race in 1 hour and 21 minutes. Christian Formosa looked set to claim second spot but a nasty crash in the closing kilometres ruined his chances.
Galea took advantage of Christian Formosa's misfortune to snatch second place in 1.24:34 ahead of Qormi team-mate Zammit (1.24.35).
The third and final race from the Road National Championships is scheduled for Sunday on the Coast Road/ Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq road.
Elite category standings: 1. Maurice Formosa (Melita Pedal Power) 400 points; 2. David Galea (Qormi Scott) 305; 3. Mark Bonnici (Melita Pedal Power) 295.
Other categories
Juniors: James Dimech (Mosta AF Sign Studio) 1.19:00.
U-15: Boys - Karl Xuereb (Mosta AF Sign Studio) 00.16:15; Girls - Nina Zammit (Mosta AF Sign Studio) 00.19:30.
Ladies: Marie Claire Aquilina (Greens) 1.08:24.
Masters 40+: Michael Lia (Mosta AF Sign Studio) 1.07:22.
Masters 50+: Twanny Pisani (Mosta AF Sign Studio) 0.52:36.
Masters 60+: George Abela (Qormi Scott) 01.06:58.