Favourites win, no changes at the top

The second race in this year's Red Bull Series produced no surprises as both favourites in the male and female categories emerged victorious.

Mark Zammit, sponsored by Thomas Smith Insurance, sustained his good form while Maria Mifsud Bonnici was all geared up for her international commitments.

The race started with a 750m swim. Zammit finished in the best registered time of 10:03. He was followed by Gordon Camenzuli and Nicky Farrugia.

Out on the 20km cycle course, Zammit was again tops in 31:30, with Malta champion David Galea closing the gap but Farrugia losing precious time after mechanical failure in his bike. Camenzuli entered bike-to-run transition in third place.

Although by this time Zammit had the race wrapped up, he kept on pushing to cover the 5km run in 16:43, just six seconds slower than Galea. Michael Gellel's run time of 16:25 was the fastest on the day.

Zammit won the race in 58:16. Galea was second in 1:01.44 ahead of Camenzuli in 1:04.14.

Mifsud Bonnici dominated all three segments in the women's race.

She swam the 750m in 12:15, cycled 20 kms in 37:34 and finished the 5km run in 19:23 for an accumulated time of 1:09.12.

Following her mishap in the previous race, Marylynn Bezzina had a better performance after a long absence from the sport. She was second in 1:12.16. Angele Cremona placed third in 1:18.43.

The third race in the series will take place on June 27.

Mifsud Bonnici for UK

Mifsud Bonnici, of Birkirkara St Joseph, will be in the UK in the coming weeks where she will take part in a series of races leading to the Bournemouth International Olympic Distance Triathlon.

On June 20, she will take part in the tough Mid-Sussex Sprint Triathlon and a week later she will figure in the Worthing Olympic Distance Triathlon.

Then, on July 4, Mifsud Bonnici will face another Olympic distance triathlon, this time in Bournemouth.

Mifsud Bonnici is currently in high spirits after her successful Small States of Europe Triathlon, where she placed second.

Recently, Mifsud Bonnici renewed her sponsorship with Powerade. Her other sponsors are SportTek UK, Air Malta and 'I've Been 2Altitude'.