Brian Magri (Team Greens) was the only Maltese cyclist to earn a place on the podium in the second stage of the Tour ta’ Malta held yesterday morning on the San Martin circuit.

Magri placed third in the Masters category behind the two Italian cyclists Ettore Pierini (PMG Bike) and Angelo Curi (Curi Team), who placed first and second respectively. Pierini is also the overall leader in this category.

However, it was Dutch cyclist Patrick Kos (Noord-Holland) who stole the limelight in yesterday’s race as he did not only win the Elite category but he also recorded the fastest time of the day, much better than that recorded by the professional cyclists from the Christina Watches Onfone and Team OneCo Mesterhus teams. Kos covered the 100 km course in an excellent time of two hours 20 minutes and 48 seconds, beating his nearest rivals by more than three minutes and helping himself to the overall leader’s red shirt. Italian cyclists Salvo Coco (ASD Mr Bianco) and Salvatore Casi (Omnia Sport) finished in second and third place respectively.

The Elite Pro category was won by Michael Rasmussen (Christina Watches Onfone) in two hours 22 minutes and two seonds, followed by Rene Jorgensen (Christina Watches) and Magnus Borreson (Team OneCo) in second and third place respectively. Stefan Schumacher (Christina Watches) is the overall leader in this category.

British cyclists dominated the Ladies category. Diane Lee (Mule Bar Girls) and Clare Leaver (GB Cycles) fought it out in the final sprint with Lee edging her opponent by a mere second, while another girl from the Mule Bar Girls squad, Sarah Brook, was third. Rachel Armitage (London Dynamo Team) is the overall leader.

Yesterday’s results

Elite Pro Category

Michael Rasmussen (Christina Watches Onfone) 2:22.02

Rene Jorgensen (Christina Watches Onfone) 2:22.48

Magnus Borreson (Team OneCo Mesterhus) 2:22.48

Overall Leader: Stefan Schumacher (Christina Watches Onfone)

Elite Category

Patrick Kos (Noord-Holland) 2:20.48

Salvo Coco (ASD Mr Bianco) 2:24.15

Salvatore Casi (Omnia Sport) 2:24.16

Overall Leader: Patrick Kos (Noord Holland)

Masters Category

Ettore Pierini (PMG Bike) 1:27.49

Angelo Curi (Curi Team) 1:28.35

Brian Magri (Team Greens) 1:28.40

Overall Leader: Ettore Pierini (PMG Bike)

Ladies Category

Diana Lee (Mule Bar Girls) 1:37.24

Clare Leaver (GB Cycles) 1:37.25

Sarah Brook (Mule Bar Girls) 1:37.37

Overall Leader: Rachel Armitage (London Dynamo Team)