After the successful Tour ta' Malta, the local competitive cycling season resumed with the third round of the Mountain Bike Cross Country National Points Series championship in Delimara.

The race consisted of five laps around a gruelling course that had riders testing their strengths on some steep inclines and technical downhills.

Etienne Bonello, of Team Greens, was the winner on the day after a lively contest with Ramon Grech, also of Team Greens.

The in-form Grech attacked Bonello in the first climb and succeeded in opening a marginal lead as Bonello struggled to close in on the leader. In fact, it took Bonello a whole lap to finally catch up with Grech.

In a third-lap uphill, Bonello quickened the pace to break away and gain some ground. He retained that lead up to the finishing line to win the race in 1:05:50... just 15 seconds ahead of Grech.

Mosta AF Sign Studio's Dominic Cutajar was third in 1:09:40.

Stephania Magri (Team Greens/ Pedal Power) was the only female rider in the race at Delimara. She covered a reduced distance in 46 minutes and 30 seconds.

Luke Dimech (Mosta) was the outright winner in his category after Adam Naudi (Team Greens) suffered technical difficulties on his bike.

Raymond Calleja was first in the Masters followed by Stephen Camilleri and Ray Galea. Harold Psaila won the Sports category.

One may obtain more details on the championship by visiting www.maltamountainbike.com.