Maltese cyclist Ishmael Muscat (pictured) was the protagonist in a recently-held club criterium race in Traralgon, 160 Km East of Melbourne.

Under the supervision of Maltese sports scientist Mark Farrugia, the 24-year old accountant, who locally rides for Mosta Cycling Club and is currently in Melbourne for a cycling training camp, has started his preparations for the 2006 racing season on a good note after a rather dry 2005 season that saw him venture into Italy and the United States with unrewarding race results this past summer.

Muscat’s opponents included a large majority of Australian riders of Maltese descent, with most of the riders specialised in racing criterium races, few of which are currently held in Malta.

The race course was fairly tough and was made up of short, sharp corners followed by long straights, most of which contained rather strong headwinds. Unable to contest for any prize-money, Muscat tried to break away after the Intermediate Sprint, but was reeled in by the group shortly after.

Muscat’s patience was rewarded 10 minutes from the end when he attacked into a headwind and got clear of the group. A few minutes later, another rider, Alex Townley, joined Muscat at the front. As the race drew to an end, the gap at the front was only a few seconds. Muscat forced the pace several times trying to drop Townley, but was unsuccessful in each attempt as the brave Australian rider caught his wheel every time.

With 500m to go, Muscat launched another long attack with the finishing straight in sight. His effort was rewarded a few moments later when he crossed the finishing line first amongst cheers from the crowd. Townley followed a few moments later with Rodney Ashworth crossed the finishing line in third.

Better renowned for mountain bike racing, Ishmael Muscat has also participated in other cycling road races in Australia’s Victoria state. In his first race, just 48 hours after arriving in Australia and without having any knowledge of the race course, the Maltese rider had a hard time and finished dead last. Four days later, Muscat notched his first 2006 season win, followed by a strong sprint finish in the next race, in which he placed fifth.