The inclement weather yesterday morning caused the fourth and final stage of the 2013 Tour ta’ Malta, a 12km individual time-trial on the Żebbuġ by-pass, to be called off, amid the disappointment of the cyclists, the participating teams’ technical staff and the organising committee, headed by energetic chairman John Zammit.
As a result, the final classification was based on the results of the three stages held between Thursday and Saturday.
Salvatore Coco, of ASD Mister Bianco, was declared winner of this year’s Tour ta’ Malta while Mathilde Matthisse ((Bonito Squadra Corse) and David Galea (The Cyclist) claimed top spot in the ladies and masters categories respectively.
All in all, the Maltese riders achieved very good results in this year’s Tour as, apart from Galea’s success in the masters, Maltese-Australian Daniel Bonello was second in the open category followed in third place by Maurice Formosa.
In the ladies’ race, top Maltese cyclist Marie Claire Aquilina was seventh overall.
Final results
Open: 1. Salvatore Coco (ASD Mister Bianco) 5:18.58; 2. Daniel Bonello 5:19.46; 3. Maurice Formosa (The Cyclist) 5:20.36.
Ladies: 1. Mathilde Matthisse (Bonito Squadra Corse) 3:48.16; 2. Margherita di Martino (ASD Mister Bianco) 3:49.42; 3. Clare Leaver (Zappi’s Team) 3:49.54.
Masters: 1. David Galea (The Cyclist) 5:01.22; 2. Daniele Battelli (ASD Team Fausto Coppi) 5:01.27; 3. Daniele Bellucci (ASD Team Fausto Coppi) 5:03.44.