Team Greens rider Etienne Bonello maintained his unbeaten start to the season after putting on another strong performance to win the Gozo Classic race last Sunday.
This year’s race, organised by Greens Cycling Club on the Nadur circuit (also part of the upcoming Tour ta’ Malta), was well-contested as all local clubs fielded their best riders.
The battle for the leading positions began in earnest after the first few kilometres with Melita Pedal Power showing great determination to leave their mark on the race.
Patrick Scicluna made an early breakaway together with Qormi’s Paul Zarb and Team Greens’ Peter Gatt. Gozitan hopeful Dominic Cutajar, of Mosta AF Sign Studio, was also in the thick of things.
Gatt and Zarb began to lose ground as Scicluna powered clear at the front to widen his lead. Back in the chasing group, Team Greens and Qormi riders increased their efforts to close in on the leader.
Melita duo Maurice Formosa and Clive Ebejer attacked the leading pack and opened a slight gap. With three Melita riders in front, Team Greens and Qormi stepped up their pace with David Galea, Bonello and Fabio Spiteri doing most of the hard work to reel in the leading riders a few kilometres from the finish line.
The race looked set to produce a multi-rider sprint when Chris Gatt, of Team Greens, attempted a last-ditch move to storm ahead but he was thwarted by Galea.
Into the final sprint, it was the resilient Bonello who, having kept in touch with the pace-setters for much of the race, roared across the line, lifting his hands in the air having secured a hard-earned victory.
Maurice Formosa was second ahead of Christian Formosa and David Galea who were third and fourth respectively.
The Gozo Classic race was made possible thanks to the assistance of the Nadur Local Council, Kunsill Malti għall-iSport co-ordinator Joe Bajada, who presented the trophies to the winners, the Police Force, club officials, helpers and time-keepers.
Greens Supermarket and BBB Bike Parts were the official spon-sors on the day.
Other results
Masters: 1. Joe Bonello (Greens); 2. Michael Lia (Mosta); 3. Mark Schembri (Mosta).
50+: 1. Nicky Farrugia (Greens), 1. Emanuel Bezzina (Mosta) – joint-first; 3. Twanny Pisani.
60+: Emanuel Camilleri (Mosta).
Juniors: Terrence Lauri (Greens).
Ladies: 1. Marica Micallef (Melita); 2. Claudia Zammit (Mosta).
U-15 boys: 1. Carl Xuereb (Mosta); 2. Nicholas Xuereb (Mosta); 3. Kurt Muscat (Mosta).
U-15 girls: 1. Martina Sciberras (Mosta); 2. Nina Zammit (Mosta); 3. Michaela Galea (Qormi).
U-12 boys: 1. Isaac Spiteri (Melita); 2. Michele Lucia (Mosta); 3. Sergio Sciberras (Mosta).
U-12 girls: 1. Maria Grech (Mosta); 2. Celine Fenech (Mosta).