The road race national championship came to an end last Sunday with the final mass start race at Bahar ic-Caghaq coast road.

Strong winds and rain characterised the day making cycling very difficult due to slippery roads.

Honours of the day went to Etienne Bonello of Team Greens who won the Elite race with an emphatic sprint finish under heavy rainfall.

The 12 laps around the coast road were covered at an elevated pace as many riders tried to break away from the main peloton however Melita Pedal Power kept the bunch together and the race was destined for a sprint finish.

Into the final metres it was Bonello who powered his way first to the finish line followed by David Galea of Qormi Scott and Mark Bonnici of Melita despite suffering a wheel change due to a puncture. The seventh place of Maurcie Formosa (Melita) was enough to secure him the Malta championship with David Galea in second and Mark Bonnici in third.

This Sunday there will be the final round of the time trial championship with the Mizieb Hill Climb. Etienne Bonello is favourite to clinch the time trial championship after winning two opening rounds. Race starts at 7.30am

Podium finishers for other categories:

Ladies: Marie Claire Aquilina (team Greens); Danica Bonello Spiteri (Team Greens); Marica Micallef (Melita Pedal Power)

Juniors: James Dimech (Mosta AF Sign Studio); Borg Daniel (Mosta AF Sign Studio); Matthew Abdilla (Team Greens) Masters: Michael Lia (Mosta AF Sign Studio); Joe Mallia (Qormi Scott); Kevin Muscat (Qormi Scott)

50+: Emanuel Bezzina (Mosta AF Sign Studio); Twanny Pisani (Mosta AF Sign Studio); Lino Fabri (Team Greens)

60+: George Abela (Qormi Scott)

U-15 Boys: Terrance Lauri (Team Greens); Nicholas Zammit (Mosta AF Sign Studio); Karl Xuereb (Mosta AF Sign Studio)

U-15 Girls: Adriana Galea (Qormi Scott); Michaela Galea (Qormi Scott); Nina Zammit (Mosta AF Sign Studio)