The third edition of the Birkirkara St. Joseph 20K Individual Time Trial was held recently on the Salina Coast Road under the auspices of the Malta Cycling Federation.

With the cycling season nearing its end in the coming weeks, this time trial attracted the top cyclists who are now in their final preparations to claim the national championship.

However it was Etienne Bonello of the Greens Cycling Club who, as expected, emerged the clear winner, to maintain his unbeaten run throughout the best part of this season.

He cycled relentlessly around the three laps, to cover the 20 kilometres in 26 minutes 52 seconds. Fellow national team and club cyclist Jason Vella finished second in 27 minutes 35 seconds.

More was expected of Mosta AF Sign Studio rider Steve Sciberras, who could not repeat his previous performance when he finished by a narrow margin behind Bonello. In this time trial he had to settle for third place in a time of 27 minutes 49 seconds.

Donatelle Camilleri, above, of the Greens Cycling Club managed to register her first victory of the year, crossing the finish line in 34 minutes 57 seconds, ahead of Marica Micallef of Melita Pedal Power (36:24) and Paula Sciberras of Mosta AF Sign Studio (39:16).

The winners in the various categories were: Under 12 Girls - Maria Grech (Mosta AF Sign Studio); Under 12 Boys – Alessio Galea (Qormi Scott CC); Under 15 Girls – Michela Galea (Qormi Scott CC); Under 15 Boys – Carl Xuereb (Mosta AF Sign Studio); Masters Over 60 – Emanuel Camilleri (Mosta AF Sign Studio); Masters Over 50 – Emanuel Bezzina (Mosta AF Sign Studio); Masters Over 40 – Joseph Zammit (Greens CC); and Juniors – Terrance Lauri (Greens CC).

Ray Grech and John Zammit, President of Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club and President of the Malta Cycling Federation respectively, presented the trophies to the winners of this race, which was sponsored by The Cyclist Bike Shop of San Gwann.