The first running of the cycling championship for the small states of Europe will be staged in Malta in 2018, the Malta Cycling Federation announced.

The decision was taken by delegates attending a European Cycling Union (UEC) meeting in San Marino earlier this month.

During the assembly, the Maltese federation, represented by president John Zammit and general secretary Joe Bajada, proposed the introduction of a commission comprising small states within the European organisation’s fold.

The priority for the commission was to discuss issues facing the countries concerned and a new championship held bi-annually not to coincide with the Games of the Small States of Europe (GSSE).

The UEC Exco was in favour of both proposals and also stipulated that the new commission would meet at least once a year.

UEC president David Lappartient then inquired about interest from the small states present at the meeting in view of the inaugural championship in two years’ time.

Bajada proposed that the inaugural 2018 edition be held in Malta also to coincide with Valletta being named as the 2018 Capital City of Europe.

His request was accepted and it was immediately agreed that next November Lappartient, along with Enrico Della Casa, UEC general secretary, will visit Malta to have a look at the selected circuits and the racing series included in the proposed 2018 championship programme.