Birkirkara St. Joseph’s national triathlon Champion Dermot Galea, following his victory in the 113K Malta Middle Distance Triathlon two weeks ago, took part in the 70.3 Ironman Italy last Sunday.

The race was held in the town of Pescara and was one of a series in the Ironman circuit. Galea’s participation in this race was part of his preparations for Ironman Wales which will be held on 16 September.

The 70.3 Ironman consisted of a 1.9-kilometre swim, followed by a 90-kilometre cycle and finished with a half marathon run over the distance of 21.1 kilometres.

Daniel Fontana won the event completing ​​the whole race in 4 hours, 13 minutes and 25 seconds. In second place was Alessandro De Gasperi who took only 6 seconds more than the winner; third was Englishman Paul Amey, one of the favourites.

Galea’s schedule before the Welsh race is mainly on foreign soil. Following the Pescara race, he will take part in another 70.3 event in Antwerp in July. In Italy Dermot Galea will be accompanied by Giuseppe Ferrara of Starbene.