Italian cyclists dominated the third stage of the Tour ta’ Malta yesterday morning by coming out on top both in the Elite and the Masters categories.

Salvo Coco (ASD Mr Bianco) was the winner in the Elite category, covering the 70 km in 1 hour 44 minutes and 20 seconds. Giuseppe Disalvo (GS Napoli) and Filippo Ballatore (Ballatore Team) finished second and third respectively both 16 seconds behind the winner.

Dutch rider Patrick Kos finished more than four minutes behind the leader to lose the overall leader’s red jersey, which has now been inherited by Giuseppe Di Salvo.

In the Masters category, Ettore Pierini (PMG Bike) repeated Friday’s fine race to finish the race ahead of the rest of the field, winning in one hour 10 minutes and 42 seconds over a distance of 47 km.

Angelo Curi (Curi Team) was second almost one and a half minutes behind Pierini, while Briton John Lewis (Wyndy Milla Team) placed third four seconds further behind. Ettore Pierini retained the red jersey in this category.

Clare Leaver (GB Cycles) and Diana Lee (Mule Bar Girls) traded places in the Ladies category to finish first and second respectively at St Paul’s Bay. Leaver, who was second on Friday, covered the 47 km in 1 hour 18 minutes and 15 seconds, while Lee, Friday’s winner, finished one minute and 33 seconds behind her. Rachel Armitage (London Dynamo Team) finished third, three seconds behind Lee, to retain the red jersey as overall leader.

In the Elite Pro category, Andreas Landa (Team OneCo Mesterhus) was the winner in 1 hour 46 minutes and 18 seconds, followed by Rene Jorgensen (Christina Watches Onfone) in second place and Magnues Borreson (Team Oneco Mesterhus) in third place. Stefan Schumacher (Christina Watches Onfone) retained the red jersey as overall leader in this category.

Full results

Elite Pro Category

1. Andreas Landa (Team Oneco Mesterhus) 1:46.18

2. Rene Jorgensen (Christina Watches Onfone) 1:46.20

3. Magnus Borreson (Team Oneco Mesterhus) 1:46.50

Overall Leader: Stefan Schumacher (Christina Watches Onfone) 4:42.36

Elite Category

1. Salvo Coco (ASD Mr Bianco) 1:44.20

2. Giuseppe Disalvo (GS Napoli) 1:44.36

3. Filippo Ballatore (Ballatore Team) 1:44.36

Overall Leader: Giuseppe Disalvo (GS Napoli) 4:44.31

Masters Category

1. Ettore Pierini (PMG Bike) 1:10.42

2. Angelo Curi (Curi Team) 1:12.10

3. John Lewis (Wyndy Milla Team) 1:12.14

Overall Leader: Ettore Pierini (PMG Bike) 3:18.00

Ladies Category

1. Clare Leaver (GB Cycles) 1:18.15

2. Diane Lee (Mule Bar Girls) 1:19.48

3. Rachel Armitage (London Dynamo Team) 1:19.51

Overall Leader: Rachel Armitage (London Dynamo Team) 3:38.17