Bonnici sees off Vella’s challenge

Mountain bike riders tackling the rough terrain during last weekend’s race in Mġarr.

An accomplished mountain bike racer needs the fitness of a road cyclist together with agility, finesse and quick responses more akin to those found in martial arts to succeed.

These qualities were required in equal measure by those who took part in the second round of the National Points Series recently.

The race was organised by the Malta Mountain Bike Association, with the help of Agones SFC, at Lippija Tower, Mġarr, on what is arguably the most technical course of the series.

The experienced Marie Claire Aquilina (Team Greens) led in women’s category right from the start, attacking the technical course and leaving the rest behind.

Lara Buttigieg (Agones), in her second MTB race, was the runner-up with a creditable showing despite a nasty fall.

For those relatively new to the series, the option of participating in the Sport category was also available at Lippija Tower.

Gonzalo Sebastian and David Cassar took on the challenge, their first experience in the NPS, with the former winning the race in 53 minutes and 14 seconds.

There is no room for hiding or biding your time in MTB racing and the elite riders always find themselves fighting for the leading positions heading into the first single-lane track.

Mark Bonnici (Agones) and current national champion Jason Vella (unattached) immediately succeeded in opening a slight lead over the rest of the field, merely by having a clean run of the course which always requires full concentration.

Maurice Formosa (The Cyclist) tried to bridge the gap but the strong headwind proved a disadvantage for a single rider on the open sections of the course.

Eventually, Bonnici moved ahead of Vella in the last lap to win the race and going one better than his position in the first round of the NPS which he now leads with four events left.

The next NPS race will be held on March 19.

Results

Elite (5 laps): 1. Mark Bonnici 1:05:45; 2. Jason Vella 1:06:10; 3. Maurice Formosa 1:07:20.
Women (3 laps): 1. Marie Claire Aquilina 49:47; 2. Lara Buttigieg 1:07:59.
Sport (3 laps): 1. Gonzalo Sebastian 53:14; 2. David Cassar 1:10:15.