Francis Falzon, Qawra, writes:

My cousin Francis Falzon recently passed away at the age of 79.

At a young age, Frankie, as he was popularly known in Mosta, left a legacy, especially among friends of his age and also for those much more younger. He was one of our local heroes. The foreign heroes were yet to come.

The Mosta Cycling Club was formed by John Sammut and Angelo Fenech in September 1953 and Frankie was one of its first many cyclists. Frankie entered the Dockyard as an apprentice in 1954 and it is said that he used to cycle from Mosta to Cospicua every day.

 In the 1950s, most of the cycling competitions were organised by the R.N. (Malta) Cycling Association and held at Ta’ Qali or Safi airfields. In June 1955, a 39-mile Australian Pursuit Handicap Race was held at Ta’ Qali.

The youngest rider, 16-and-half years Frankie, was given a nine-minute allowance and with his recently bought maroon five-speed racer, was never caught by any of the field and rode the distance unaided except for the cheers of the crowd. The English from then on gave him the title ‘Flying Frankie’. The rest is history.

It must have been a great experience cycling along the perimeter of the airfield, especially for the spectators who had the chance of seeing and cheering each rider 12 or more times.

The riders were also spared the nuisance of dozens of vans and cars following the race and impending officials and riders alike. 

Who knows, maybe we might have such a track again. Thank you Frankie for the wonderful memories.