The Cycling Road Race National Championship came to a close earlier this month with the third and final race in Zurrieq over a distance of 90km.

As expected, the pace was nervous from the first pedal strokes as defending champion Etienne Bonello, of Team Greens, and Maurice Formosa, of Melita Pedal

Power, were the serious contenders for the title. Both riders were assisted by the back-up of a strong team as they battled each other over the tal-Maqluba hill, an uphill stretch of road on uneven tarmac conditions. Through the nine laps various riders lost ground on this incline and in the final lap only the likes of David Galea (Qormi KIA), Adrian Sciberras (Mosta AF Sign Studio) and Tamas Kelecsenyi (Team Greens) could keep the pace of Bonello and Formosa as the race was destined for a sprint finish.

The invaluable work of Bonello’s team mate Tamas Kelecsenyi of Hungary proved to be the winning card for the Team Greens rider to reconfirm the national title. In the final metres, Kelecsenyi was the perfect lead out man for Bonello to outsprint his rivals and win the race and the overall title. Formosa finished second with Adrian Sciberras, David Galea and Kelecsenyi in third to fifth spot.

It was a good day for Team Greens who succeeded in six out of the eight categories contested with Mosta winning the other two.

Marie Claire Aquilina (Team Greens) won the women’s race ahead of Debbie Seychell (Qomri) and Marcel Chircop (Greens) while James Dimech was the fastest Junior. He was followed by Daniel Borg of Mosta.

In the Masters category, it was Brian Magri (Greens) who led the race followed by Cliff Micallef and Joe Mallia (Qomri). Lino Fabri (Greens) managed to beat Emanuel Bezzina (Mosta) in the over 50 category Charles Sammut (Greens) finished third.

Michael Polidano (Greens) topped the Over 60 category in front of George Abela (Qormi) and George Gauci (Mosta).

Bernard Azzopardi (Greens) had another superb ride by winning the race for U-15s. Max Micallef (Qormi) was second with Carl Xuereb (Mosta) third. Martina Sciberras (Mosta) was the first U-15 lady followed by Michaela Galea (Qormi).

The Malta Cycling Federation was assisted by the Malta Police, St James Ambulance, volunteers and club and federation officials.

The next competition will take place this Sunday at Ta’ Penellu in Mellieha with the final round of the time trial championship.