Magri closes elite chapter with victory in Santa Maria sprints

The Santa Maria sprints are organised every year by Mosta AF Sign Studio as part of the celebrations of the Assumption.

This year, the event took place on August 8 along Eucharistic Congress Street in Mosta. Several spectators lined the route to watch the participating riders race against time.

As in previous years, the sprints got underway with the Under-15 category which this year attracted a record number of cyclists, so much so that separate races were held for boys and girls.

The sprints in all categories were closely-contested but the highlight of the day was the elite race in which Paul Magri (Mosta), who has won the event several times, was participating as an elite rider for the last time before entering the master’s bracket.

The elite sprint featured an initial breakaway by Mark Bonnici (Melita), Duncan Galea (Mosta) and Nikolai Bonello (Mosta) who led for most of the distance. Magri reeled in the leading pack towards the final 200 metres and went on to win the race, followed closely by Pierre Borg (Melita) and Steve Sciberras (Mosta).

After the sprints, a prize-award ceremony was held. John Magri, the vice-president of Mosta AF Sign Studio, thanked everyone who assisted in the organisation of the event as well as the participants, supporters, spectators and the sponsors, Vassallo Builders Group.

Frank Dimech, the secretary of Mosta AF Sign Studio, expressed his satisfaction at the work of the club’s nursery which has already achieved significant progress since its launch two years ago.

Nazzareno Vassallo said Vassallo Builders Group Ltd are proud to have sponsored this event for the past 28 years and pledged to maintain their backing in the future.

Vassallo distributed mementos to every Under-15 participant and trophies to all the winners in the various categories.

The Winners

U-15 (girls): Nina Zammit (Mosta).

U-15 (boys): Carl Xuereb (Mosta).

Ladies: Claudia Zammit (Mosta).

Masters 60+: Emmanuel Camilleri (Mosta).

Master 50+: Emmanuel Bezzina (Mosta).

Masters 40+: Michael Lia (Mosta).

Juniors: James Dimech (Mosta).

Elite: Paul Magri (Mosta).