Italian cyclists continued to dominate in the third stage of the Betfair Tour ta’ Malta 2011 held for the first time on the Nadur circuit in Gozo, while Briton-born Maltese cyclist Andrew Griffiths could only finish ninth to concede the red jersey as overall leader to Matthew Higgins.
Surprisingly, despite the fact that they dominated the second and third stages, no Italian cyclist has so far worn a red jersey, as now everything depends on the fourth and final stage on today when the 12 km individual time trial will take place in the Zebbug By-Pass.
Despite a rather strong wind, the race was run at a very fast pace, especially by the leading group of riders. Maltese hopeful Andrew Griffiths could not match the pace of the leading pack, which consisted of six riders, and had to settle for ninth place, almost two minutes behind.
This cost him the red jersey, as the new overall leader is Matthew Higgins (Virgin Active UK), who however could only finish fourth and failed to make the podium. He recorded the same time as the top three riders, namely Francesco Guccione (Ballatore Team), Gregory Bianchi (Fausto Coppi Team) and Filippo Ballatore (Ballatore Team), who finished in that order.
They were all clocked at 1 hour 34 minutes and 59 seconds.
Andrew Higgins is now the overall leader with an aggregate time of 4 hours 36 minutes, 31 seconds ahead of Griffiths and 41 seconds ahead of Bianchi.
In the Ladies category, Anna Harkowska (CSM Team Berlin) and Michela Gorini (Fausto Coppi Team) continued their neck-to-neck battle till the very end, with Gorini pipping Harkowska at the post to win in 1 hour 7 minutes and 53 seconds. Sarah Maidment (Squadra Donne UK) was third almost two minutes behind the leading pair. Harkowska retained the red jersey as overall leader.
The Masters category was another en plein for the Italian riders with Stefano Baggiani (Fausto Coppi Team) finished first, Salvatore Casi (ASD Omina Ragusa) second and Ettore Pierini (BMG Bike) third, all clocking the same time of 57 minutes and 5 seconds.
The Hon. Frederick Azzopardi and Mr Joe Bajada presented the prizes to the winners at the end of today’s stage. They were accompanied by Mr John Zammit, Chairman of the Organising Committee, and Miss Betfair Tour ta’ Malta 2011, Antonia Vella Gatt.
The Tour comes to an end today when the fourth and final stage will take place at the Zebbug By-Pass. This will consist of an individual 12 km time trial. At the end of this stage, a bike ride will take place from Zebbug to the Ferries, Sliema, where the Presentation Ceremony will take place.