Italian rider Francesco Guccione and Anne De Wildt, of the Netherlands, are the overall winners of the 15th Tour ta' Malta after successfully retaining the red jersey in their respective categories following the third stage at Ta' Pennellu, Mellieha yesterday.

The honours of the day went to Italy's Francesco Pizzo and Claudia Koster, of the Netherlands, who managed to overcome the strong winds that hit yesterday's race to go on and win the third stage.

In the men's category, Filippo Ballatore broke away from the main peloton early in the race. But by the third lap his lead was cancelled by Pizzo and Ryan Connor.

Eventually, it was Pizzo (Squadra Elettro System) who produced the decisive surge to win the 85km stage in one hour 54 minutes and 43 seconds.

Irishman Connor (Ulster Cycling Club) was second in one hour 58 minutes and 52 seconds ahead of a tired Ballatore (Ballatore Team) who crossed the finish line in two hours one minute and six seconds.

Despite failing to make the winners' podium of the third stage, Guccione (Ballatore team) still managed to retain his overall lead with an accumulated time of five hours 19 minutes and 39 seconds.

The ladies' stage was dominated by Koster and De Wildt of Noord Holland. The Dutch duo broke free early on with Koster eventually sprinting to victory, just a fraction of a second ahead of De Wildt. Koster's finishing time was one hour eight minutes and 30 seconds.

English rider Kelly Moore, of UK team Squadra Donne, finished third in one hour 10 minutes and 14 seconds.

De Wildt finished on top of the women's category with an aggregate time of four hours and six seconds.

The Tour ta' Malta comes to an end this morning with a bike ride that has no bearing on the final standings.

The race starts at 10.45 a.m. and leaves from the Sliema Ferries passing through Gzira, Ta' Xbiex, Msida, Birkirkara, Mosta, Bahar ic-Caghaq, St Julians and back to the Sliema Ferries where the official presentation will take place.