Marion Pullicino (picture, right) and Gerard Said have just taken part in the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships in Perth, Australia.

The championships consisted of two races, a 20km time trial and a road race.

The time trial was held at Rottnest Island, 15km off the coast of Perth. The place is widely known for its distinctive wildlife. The road race started in Perth and the route covered the freeway towards the Kalamunda Mountains.

Riders in the men’s championship had to do two laps for a total of 160km. The women’s race was 105km long.

The level of competition, with participants hailing from various parts of the globe, was very high. Pullicino was classified 72nd out of 197 in the women’s race as Said rode home 271st from 657 starters in the men’s event.

To qualify for the championships, prospective participants had to obtain a ranking in the top quarter of entry fields in worldwide UCI Cycling Tour events.

Pullicino and Said, coached by Rachel Darmanin, both succeeded in booking their place for Perth in the race held in Rhodes.

Pullicino was the top rider in her category in all three races in Rhodes and Said was fourth in two of the three races he contested.