The mountain bike season kicked off last weekend with the first round from the Cross Country National Points Series at Ħas-Saptan Valley, limits of Għaxaq.

The race was organised by Agones Sports Club in conjunction with the Malta Mountain Bike Association. The circuit offered different conditions with winding single tracks, down hills and steep inclines.

The main event was the Elite race where competitors had to cover the 5.6km circuit five times.

Five riders jumped ahead from the start and the pack included defending NPS champion Etienne Bonello (Team Greens), Maurice Formosa (The Cyclist CC), Mark Bonnici (Agones Pedal Power), Ramon Grech (Qormi CC) and Jeffrey Borg (Team Greens).

The front runners set a high pace for most of the distance, keeping a close eye on each other until the last few kilometres.

Then, it was a strong dash by Bonello in the final climb that tore the group apart.

He broke free from the pack and opened a lead of around 10 seconds which he preserved to cross the line in 1:15:40. Bonnici was a close second followed by Formosa and Borg 13 seconds later.

Grech was forced to retire after suffering mechanical problems and Formosa did remarkably well to hold on to third position after two falls in the rugged terrain.

Agones Pedal Power rider Stephania Magri won the women’s race ahead of Marie Claire Aquilina (Team Greens) whose race was riddled with multiple punctures and had to retire.

The Sports Category was won by Qormi CC rider Kevin Muscat.

The next round of the series will be held on February 10 in Miżieb.