It took just a few metres after the starting line to determine the outcome of what was considered an early season race.

The second round of the National Points Series held at Mizieb last Sunday was nothing less that a fierce battle from start to finish. Fast racing, leg breaking accelerations coupled with cold weather, mud and slippery terrain, the riders dashed out of the starting line as if it was a 100 metres sprint.

Mark Bonnici put the hammer down in the first kilometres which triggered an immediate chase in the following group.  

Bonnici’s effort was neutralised by Gerard Said, while Jason Vella launched a counter attack to break away for a complete lap of the 6.1km course.

As the chasing group started to lose elements due to the sustained pace, Maurice Formosa and Etienne Bonello came into action in the final laps. Vella kept the pace of the front runners despite his previous effort with Clive Ebejer and Mark Bonnici trailing a few seconds back.

Into the final lap, it was an unsatiable Vella who once again stirred the race with a dangerous progression.

He was chased immediately by Formosa with Vella’s teammate Bonello hot on his wheel. Bonello showed his mettle in the final and crucial parts as Formosa hang for dear life onto his wheel. However one last progression towards the end by Bonello proved to be the right one as he cut clear in front by a few metres. He dug deep into his energy reserves to keep his advantage till the finish line, winning the race in 1:11:58.

Formosa held on to his second place in 1:12:31 with Vella third 32 seconds later. Marie Claire Aquilina once again had a very positive showing in the ladies group followed by Donatelle Callus and Caroline Zammit. 

Oswin Farrugia won the Sports category followed by Steve Giordano Imbroll while Kevin Muscat was first in the Masters category. 

Round three of the National Points Series will be held on Sunday 26 February at Delimara.