It was a one-team exhibition last Sunday as Team Greens dominated the time trial race held on the Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq Coast Road.

The race, now in its fifth year, saw excellent team dynamics and elevated speeds set by Birkirkara St Joseph and The Cyclist Club in the initial phases.

However, pre-race favourites Team Greens were up for it as they produced another winning performance.

The team, led by time trial champion Etienne Bonello, also included Jason Vella, Gerard Said and Christopher Gatt. They pedalled smoothly along the course to stop the clock on the 56:56 mark.

Birkirkara SJ had a creditable performance with a time of 58:55, two minutes behind the winners. The Cyclist Club, who were not riding in full force, were third in 59:47.

The Masters time trial honours also went to Team Greens with Joseph Bonello, Joseph Zammit, Jude Zammit and Peter Gatt representing the club .

Marie Claire Aquilina, of Team Greens, won the women’s individual time trial race followed by Donatelle Camilleri (Agones CC) and Michelle Vella Wood (Birkir-kara St Joseph).

Kurt Muscat, Mark Farrugia and Andrea Lucia stepped on the rostrum in that order for Mosta AF Sign Studio in the U-15 category.

The race was also made possible with the assistance of the Malta Cycling Federation, Greens Supermarket, BBB Bike Parts and Eurosport.

Overseas races

This weekend, Team Greens will start their international schedule for 2012 by competing at the Tour of Algeria, a six-leg race covering 900 kilometres.

The tour, a UCI-sanctioned race, will host some 120 riders from North Africa and European countries. Team Greens will be represented by Bonello, Vella, Gatt and Said with the back-up support of club president Charles Sammut and sports therapist Joseph Buttigieg.

After the Tour of Algeria, the team will travel to Nicosia for the Tour of Cyprus.

These two races should boost Team Greens’ preparations for the Tour ta’ Malta at the end of the month.