The third race of the Malta Cycling Federation season was held recently at St Paul's Bay by-pass.
Some riders were missing due to their commitment in the Malta Marathon. However, a 60km mass start race has always something interesting to offer.
Elite and junior cyclists were the first to take off, gathering a very fast pace right from the start. So frenetic was the rhythm at the beginning that by the end of the first lap, some had already started losing ground from the leading pack.
With the winds blowing forcefully from all directions, it was always going to be difficult for the riders to complete the course.
In the end, from the 15 on the starting line, only six made it to the finish line. Competing in the Elite Class were two Italian riders. The first successful breakaway attempt was made by one of the Italian guests and Maltese riders Jack Schiavone (BSJ) and Roderick Muscat (Pamsons).
They opened a comfortable lead which increased gradually along the race. They were followed by a group of five other riders.
In-form junior Muscat has been showing consistent signs of promise this year.
At St Paul's Bay, he looked sharp and focused, breaking away to launch a solo attack. Notwithstanding a mechanical mishap four laps from home, he went on to finish first overall, besides claiming the juniors' title on the day.
In the meantime, the two Italians had retired but triathlete Dermot Galea (BSJ) lost no time as he powered away from the chasing pack to catch up with team-mate Schiavone. The latter, however, still had enough energy in his reserve tanks to finish ahead of Galea. He was first in the Elite Class while Galea had to settle for the runner-up spot.
There was a keen tussle for third place, contested by Emmanuel Micallef (Mosta CC) and Etienne Bonello. In the end, Micallef outsprinted the Birkirkara SJ rider to the finish line.
Mark Zammit (BSJ) was second in the race for juniors and Mosta CC's Steve Sciberras third.
In the Masters Category there were only two competitors, Nicky Farrugia and Charlie Sammut, both of Birkirkara SJ. Farrugia, more known in the triathlon circles, had an impeccable outing, demonstrating his cycling potential to pip Sammut to the post.
Maria Mifsud Bonnici (BSJ) pedalled all alone to the finish line in the ladies' race, untroubled by opponents Michelle Wood and Danica Spiteri (both Pamsons) who finished second and third respectively.
Adrian Sciberras, of Mosta CC, confirmed what a skilful rider he is when applying a fast pace to win the U-15 category race, once again in a remarkable time for his young age. Chris Caruana (Pamsons) and James Dimech (Mosta CC) followed Sciberras home.
The federation was assisted by the Police Force and volunteer race marshalls.