Bonello has final say

The cycling season got underway last Sunday with The Cliff Micallef Memorial Individual Time Trial, organised by the Qormi Cycling Club.

Held in near perfect weather conditions, riders were clocked over a distance of 16km. Over 50 participants took to the start of the season-opener with local clubs fielding their best riders.

The multiple-lap format around the 1.6km circuit in Qormi went down well with the spectators who gathered along the perimeter to give their support as the riders dashed by.

The elite race created a lot of interest as it unfolded into a close battle for the top positions. Melita’s Maurice Formosa and Patrick Scicluna led the timesheets in the initial part of the race with Qormi CC hopeful David Galea a close third, a split second behind Scicluna.

However, Team Greens’ rider Etienne Bonello turned the tables on the other competitors as he took off in the final part of the race. Bonello rode strongly right from the outset to cover the distance in a record time of 22:58. Formosa leapt to second in 23:36 with Scicluna third in 23:47.

In the other categories, Terrance Lauri (Team Greens) won the junior race while Kevin Muscat (Qormi), Michael Lia (Mosta) and Joseph Bonello (Greens) took the honours in the masters.

Donatelle Callus (Greens) was the fastest lady on the day, followed by Marica Micallef (Melita) and Marie Claire Aquilina (Greens). The O-50 race went to Emanuel Bezzina (Mosta) who finished ahead of Charles Sammut (Greens) and Charles Zammit (Mosta).

Anthony Borg (Qormi) topped the O-60 category ahead of Michael Polidano (Greens) and George Abela (Qormi).

Carl Xuereb (Mosta) won the U-15 boys’ race with Nicholas Zammit (Mosta) and Edward Gatt (Greens) claiming the second and third spots respectively. Martina Sciberras (Mosta) prevailed among the Under-15 girls followed by Nina Zammit (Mosta) and Veronica Sant (Mosta).

In a statement, the Malta Cycling Federation said the race was made possible thanks to the sponsorship of KIA motors, Express Trailers, The Cyclist and Pinto Band Club.

Special appreciation goes to the Qormi Local Council, Qormi Police Station and the Malta Cycling Federation helpers and officials.

The next race is being held on Sunday along the Żebbuġ bypass. Organised by Mosta AF Sign Studio Cycling Club, the race starts at 7.30 a.m.