The Malta Mountain Bike Asssociation held the second round of the cross country national points series in Pembroke.

The race consisted of six laps for the Elite riders and for laps for the Sports and Junior riders. The Pembroke course features a lot of rocky sections as well as difficult off road climbs that, coupled with the strong wind and cold temperature that characterised the weekend, made racing really hard for the athletes.

From the word go the riders dashed off in a frantic pace in order to take the first technical downhill in the front positions.

It was Ramon Grech of Qormi KIA Corratec that took the lead of the Elite race, he was followed closely by current cross country national champion Etienne Bonello of Team Greens BBB Parts.

Grech set a strong pace in the initial lap: however, Bonello had his say in a hilly section where he pushed the pace and managed to open a lead. Bonello struggled to keep the lead till the finish due to the strong winds. He finished the race in 56:23. Grech was second in 58:20.

In the other categories, Anthony Calleja won the master’s race while Jason Muscat won the sports category. James Dimech of Mosta AF Sign Studio won the Juniors race.