The unique cycle sprints which are held annually in Mosta, as part of the celebrations of the feast of Santa Maria were held on 12 August.
This sporting event was organised by the Mosta AF Sign Studio Cycling Club with the much appreciated help of the Mosta Archpriest Rev. Mario Tong, Mr Mario Riolo, the Local Council of Mosta, the Police Corps and Mr Nazzareno Vassallo of Vassallo Builders Group Ltd, official sponsors of this event.
The first sprint was contested by cyclists in the Under 15 years category who put on a very good show with James Dimech (National U/15 champion) as expected, gliding comfortably past the finish line in first place several bike lengths ahead of Daniel Borg in second place and Stephan Behan in third place.
All three riders are member cyclists of the Mosta AF Sign Studio Cycling Club and had only just returned the day before from Ireland after having participated successfully in the International Kerry Youth Cycling Tour.
In the Ladies category, the number of contestants expected was lacking with Danica Spiteri (Team Greens) taking first place.
In the Masters 40+years category, Emmanuel Bezzina of Mosta AF Sign Studio C.C., for the second year running, took the honours finishing in first place with Michael Lia (Mosta AF Sign Studio C.C.) participating in this event for his first time, finishing second, followed by Joe Mallia (Qormi C.C.) in third place.
In the Masters 50+years category, Charles Sammut (Team Greens) finished comfortably in first place. Second and third places were hotly contested by Mario Brincat and Edwin Spiteri, both of Mosta AF Sign Studio C.C.. Mario Brincat managed to finish second with Edwin Spiteri following close on his wheels to finish third.
In the Elite category, Pierre Borg (Team Greens) finished in first place, only a bike length ahead of second placed Paul Magri (Mosta AF Sign Studio C.C.) who has won this event on many occasions. Adrian Sciberras, of Mosta AF Sign Studio C.C., new to this category, finished in third place.
After the race, the Vice-President of the Mosta AF Sign Studio Cycling Club, John Magri, thanked everyone who helped organise the event as well as the participants.
Mosta Archpriest Rev. Mario Tong blessed the participants and their bicycles while wishing them future success. Mr Nazzareno Vassallo, on behalf of Vassallo Builders Group Ltd, stated that over the years, he was proud to be a part of this sporting event and presented the winners with trophies.