The 2017 Tour ta’ Malta got under way yesterday with the opening stage at the Coast Road. A record entry of cyclists lined up for the start – a 12km time-trial.

In the women’s category, Michelle Vella Wood, of Team Greens, placed first when completing the distance in 23 minutes 29.61 seconds.

Team-mate Marie Claire Aquilina placed second in 23:46.62 ahead of Briton Stephanie Mottram, of NCC Group Iwota Torelli, 24:12.25.

In the elite race, Matthew Davies (Rhino Velo Race Team) clocked the fastest time in 21:15.84 ahead of Velostrada Test Team’s Thomas Strand (21:23.47) and William Brown (Brother NVG Driveplan) who finished in 21:27.84.

Etienne Bonello, of Team Greens, was fourth in 21:36.18.

Greece’s Lukas Katapodis, of Greece, topped the Masters time-trial in 22:01.75.

The Tour resumes today with the second stage – an 83.3km road race at the St Paul’s Bay By-Pass.

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