Italian cyclists dominated the second stage of the Tour ta’ Malta 2011 on the San Martin circuit, but British-born Maltese cyclist Andrew Griffiths (Greens CC) retained the red jersey as overall leader in the Elite category after a remarkable sprint finish involving six riders.

The gruelling San Martin circuit proved to be yet again a very challenging stage for the top riders as they set off in a mass start covering 100 kilometres. Griffiths took some time to settle down but gradually he started making up lost ground to approach the leading pack, which thinned down to six riders in the last three laps. The final sprint proved to be very exciting with the two Italian cyclists Francesco Guccione (Ballatore Team) and Gregory Bianchi (Fausto Coppi Team) holding off Andrew Griffiths’ final burst to the finishing post. Guccione placed first in 2 hours 24 minutes 46 seconds. Bianchi took second place just one second behind Guccione, and Griffiths third just another second behind.

However, thanks to his win in Thursday’s time trial, Griffiths retained the red jersey as overall leader.

The Masters category was dominated by Italian cyclists so much so that winner Salvatore Casi (ASD Omina Ragusa) shared the leadership of the race with the top riders in the Elite category throughout the whole six laps that he covered. He finished the race in an excellent time of 1 hour 25 minutes 24 seconds, almost two and a half minutes ahead of second placed Stefano Baggiani (Fausto Coppi Team) who stopped the clock on 1 hour 28 minutes 3 seconds.

Another Italian rider, Ettore Pierini (BMG Bike), placed third in 1 hour 31 minutes 50 seconds.

Salvatore Casi, who had also won the individual time trial on Thursday, retained the red jersey as overall leader in the Masters category.

Similarly, there was no change in the final placings in the Ladies category, as the top three finishers in the time trial were the same three riders in the San Martin race. The ladies also cycled a total of 60 kilometers, with German Anna Harkowska (CSM Team Berlin) leading from start to finish, despite the continuous challenge of Michela Gorini (Fausto Coppi Team). In the final sprint Harkowska just beat Gorini by half a bike’s length with both cyclists recording a time of 1 hour 39 minutes 22 seconds.

Defending champion Iona Sewell (Squadra Donne UK) tried hard to reduce the gap from the two leaders in the final laps, but she had to settle for third place clocking 1 hour 40 minutes 57 seconds.

Obviously Anna Harkowska retained the red jersey as overall leader in the Ladies category.

Mr John Zammit, Chairman of the Tour ta’ Malta Organizing Committee, presided over the presentation ceremony at the end of the race.

Today, the Tour crosses over to Gozo for the third stage which will consist of another road race covering a total distance of 77 kilometresm on the Nadur circuit.