Melita’s Formosa makes it a double at Ta’ Penellu

Maurice Formosa, of Melita Pedal Power Cycling Club, was the clear winner at the hilly Ta’ Penellu last Sunday.

This was the first round from three races valid for the National Championship. The race was organised by the Malta Cycling Federation at a demanding venue in Mellieħa where Elite Category riders had to go round the 6km circuit seven times.

Melita were the dominant team in the race even though it was Birkirkara St Joseph’s Keith Galea who initiated the first attack right from the start.

However, he was soon reeled in by Mark Bonnici (Melita) who tried a couple of times to open a gap but his efforts were neutralised by the group.

Then, it was the turn of Patrick Scicluna (Melita) to make a successful attack and he managed to move ahead of the peloton.

Formosa left the main group with Etienne Bonello (Team Greens) and Galea following him.

Eventually, this trio of riders caught up with Scicluna. In the last lap, Formosa proved his expertise in uphills, riding solo in the last few kilometres to win the race for the second successive year in 1:21.12.

Galea had a mechanical problem with the finish in sight and that mishap cost him vital seconds as Bonello went on to edge Scicluna for second place in 1:22.45. Galea eventually had to settle for fourth place.

Results

U-15 (boys): 1. Carl Xuereb (Mosta); 2. Nicholas Zammit (Mosta); 3. K. Muscat (Mosta).

U-15 (girls): 1. Nina Zammit (Mosta); 2. Michela Galea (Qormi); 3. Martina Sciberras (Mosta).

Ladies: 1. Marie Claire Aquilina (Greens); 2. Danica Bonello Spiteri (Greens).

Masters: 1. Joseph Bonello (Greens); 2. Mark Schembri (Mosta); 3. Michael Lia (Mosta).

Juniors: 1. Terence Lauri (Greens).