Marie Claire Aquilina (centre) stands on top of the podium afterwinning yesterday’s time-trial. Photo: Janice J. DunnItaly’s Giuseppe De Salvo drew first blood in this year’s Tour ta’ Malta after the Italian cyclist topped yesterday’s opening stage, a 19km time-trial in Mellieħa.
There was also joy for home riders as Marie Claire Aquilina grabbed the coveted red jersey after placing first in the women’s category, just ahead of last year’s winner Mathilde Mathjsse, of the Netherlands.
On Wednesday, organisers of the four-day race were forced to change the venue of the inaugural stage as part of the Salina Coast Road was closed due to impending road works.
Instead, the Tour ta’ Malta peloton headed to the Mellieħa Bypass for the opening stage.
Team Maggi rider De Salvo, winner of the Tour ta’ Malta in 2012, was the only participant to go under the 28-minute barrier yesterday, crossing the finish line in 27 minutes and 49 seconds.
Alex Royle, of Team BH Solidor Wam Youth, took second place in 28.20 while De Salvo’s team-mate, Nikita Eskov, was third in 28.43.
Birkirkara St Joseph’s Wayne Spiteri was the first Maltese cyclist home, placing sixth in 29.16.
Team Greens cyclist Aquilina was the fastest women in yesterday’s opening stage when topping the timesheets in 32:00 minutes... just seven seconds ahead of Mathjsse, of Bonito Squadra Corse.
Mathilde Pauls, of Fusion RT, took third place after completing the time-trial in 32.53.
Britain’s James Steward is leading the way in the Masters category.
The Bonito Squadra Corse member clocked 29 minutes and 39 seconds to finish almost two minutes clear of team-mate Stewart Wilson who was second in 31.17.
Maltese veteran David Galea was third in 31 minutes 31 seconds.
The Tour ta’ Malta resumes this morning with a 100km road race in San Martin. Today’s second stage starts at 10am.