Maurice Formosa (The Cyclist) and Etienne Bonello (Team Greens) defied the odds at the Granfondo Ivan Siciliano 110km race in Mazzarino, Sicily, recently, after finishing first and second in the final classification despite not starting among the favourites.

The Granfondo is part of the Sicilia Cup Championship.

Bonello and Formosa teamed up perfectly for the race that had an entry of over 170 riders from all parts of Sicily.

A timely move by the Maltese duo proved successful as they attacked with around 45km to the finish. They were joined by four other riders in a six-man breakaway, opening an advantage of over a minute on the chasing peloton.

In the final lap, any tactical moves by the front runners were halted with attempts to attack in the final hill.

The Maltese duo were not shaken though and, in the final metres, it was Formosa who dashed strongly towards the line with Bonello right behind to seal the top two places in the race.

Formosa was named the ‘king of the mountain’ as he transited first at the top of the hill in the second lap.

“We raced really well together, getting into a break was the only way to gain success,” Formosa said.

“We never thought that we would manage to fend off the chasing peloton.

“In the end, we had stronger legs and our tactics worked perfectly as we obtained the best result in this competition.”