In 1960 (four years before Independence) the Malta Cycling Federation was formally launched by a number of clubs. It wasn’t the beginning of cycling in Malta but it was the birth of more structured cycling with the prime aim of choosing an annual individual Malta champion and club champion.
Before, as in several other sports, individuals rode bicycles and organised some races but (today an anachronism) some individuals claimed dominance and often tried to prove it by publishing challenges to all comers in order to find some recognition.
Since 1960 much water has passed under the bridges and at least for the last decennial the Federation has regularly organised national championships and has from year to year increased the classification of riders in order to cater for widening demands.
There were various subsidiary objectives. The federation wished to grow in the number of club-members and athlete members.
The Federation also wished to seek foreign honours and foreign experiences - cyclists were encouraged to aim not merely to reach and perhaps surpass local levels but to try to obtain wider experience and higher standards by cross fertilisation with foreign challenges.
The federation obtained admission into the Universal Cycling Union and the European Cycling Union and forged links with English and Italian cycling clubs.
This year (2006) the Federation will again run the National Championship series.
Because of the current Melbourne Commonwealth Games, the local championships were slightly postponed to start in April. Some federated clubs ran start-up races in the mean time. From April there will be the usual six championship road races which vary from individual time trials to mass starts as well as a Hill Climb.
In 2006, perhaps unfortunately, there will not be the Tour of Malta which attracts several Sicilian, English, German and French teams of both sexes.
The classes of cyclists start from Under 15 (alas only males participate here), Ladies (still too few), juniors (16 to 18), Masters (40 to 50) Veterans (50+) and the top performers in the Elite Class (19 to 39). The Veteran Class was introduced in 2005 in recognition of the few stalwarts who defied the challenge of age by showing determination and perseverance.
The federation is helped in Malta by several sports authorities. The lead is given by the Kunsill Malti ghall-Isport - the government sports arm. The federation also prepares athletes for the elite performers which the MOC expects to find as national standard bearers in various international encounters like the Games of the Small States of Europe (where cycling has won a Gold and a Bronze medal for Malta) and in the more challenging Commonwealth and Olympic Games.
In turn the MOC offers talent Identification, the Functional Diagnostic Laboratory, a Gymnasium, medical and psychological monitoring and guidance and similar helpful assistance. The federation also attempts to make a colourful presence in national and local festivities, fun and family bike rides.
One could identify several problem areas. Many more Malta residents could boost the ranks of the members of the federation.
Equally the member-clubs could aim at higher organisational standards. If the presence of cyclists grows, one would be more justified in claiming more respect and recognition from local authorities. The facilities for training and road racing could be improved - but this is a national need.
In sports one has to win (and risk losing) the use of scarce national resources; just as an athlete has to compete, the combined racing community should first grow and challenge other disciplines which seem to monopolise the attention of central authorities by their omnipresence in various influential circles.