The fourth round of the cross country National Point Series championship was held recently in Miżieb.

The seven-lap 42.7km circuit offered riders a testing challenge through its inclinations, loose terrain and technical sections. This was the first qualification race for GSSE selection.

With so much at stake, the Elite class riders sprinted out of the starting line with champion Etienne Bonello (Corratec-Team Greens) storming into the lead and setting the pace in the first kilometres of the race.

David Galea, Ramon Grech and Gerard Said, of Qormi Kia, stayed close to each other in the chasing group along with Clive Ebejer and Jason Muscat.

Said increased his speed but Bonello left him behind after a scorching second lap before going on to win the race in a new course record of 1:38:17.

Said, meanwhile, was caught by the pack behind as Grech had to abandon the race due to a mechanical mishap.

In the final sprint, Ebejer outsmarted his more-experienced rivals to finish second in 1:42:50. He was followed by Said in 1:42:56. Muscat was fourth in 1:53:00 and Galea fifth, 1:53:06.

Despite being the only female rider in the race, Marie Claire Aquilina (Team Greens) produced a record-breaking performance, covering the 30.5km distance in 1:19:48.

The next GSSE qualifying race will be held on Sunday at Delimara.