Giuseppe Di Salvo (GS Napoli) and Rachel Armitage (London Dynamo Team) clinched the men’s and women’s titles respectively at the 18th Tour ta’ Malta which came to an end yesterday with a 12km time trial on the Żebbuġ bypass.

Starting the final stage as overall leaders, the two riders held on to top spot despite not winning the concluding time trial. In fact, Di Salvo was not among the top-three finishers in Żebbuġ while Armitage was third in the ladies’ time trial.

There were no surprises in the other two categories. Overall winner Stefan Schumacher (Christina Watches Onfone) produced a blistering time of 15 minutes 41 seconds in the elite pro (out-of-competition), 57 seconds faster than team-mate Rasmus Gulhammer.

ASD Mr Bianco’s Francesco Pizzo underlined his time trial prowess as he recorded the fastest time yesterday in the elite class, 16’43”. He was followed in second place by team-mate Salvo Coco in 17’22” with Salvatore Casi (Omnia Sport) coming in third, only one second adrift.

Di Salvo was not far behind the leading trio, clocking a time of 17’31”.

The winner on the day in the ladies category was German Eliena Eggl (Bike Aid Germany) in 19’56”. Lona Sewell (GB Cycles) and Armitage were second and third respectively.

In the masters, leading rider Ettore Pierini (PMG Bike) was fourth yesterday, three seconds down on third place, but retained top spot in the overall classification.

Maltese cyclist Joe Bonello (Team Greens) finished second in Żebbuġ, only four seconds behind the winner, Briton Jon Lewis (Charlotteville), who won in 18’26”.

Chris Gatt (Team Greens) and David Galea (The Cyclist CC) were the best-placed Maltese riders in the elite and masters categories respectively.

Stephania Magri (GB Cycles) led the way for the Maltese in the ladies’ competition.

Elite (men): 1. G. Di Salvo (GS Napoli) 5:02.02; 2. S. Coco (ASD Mr Bianco) 5:02.28; 3. S. Casi (Omnia Sport) 5:03.27.

Elite (ladies): 1. R. Armitage (London Dynamo) 3:58.20; 2. L. Sewell (GB Cycles) 3:59.09; 3. E. Eggl (Bike Aid Germany) 3:59.18.

Masters: 1. E. Pierini (PMG Bike) 3:36.54; 2. A. Curi (Curi Team) 3:39.26; 3. J. Lewis (Charlotteville) 3:40.37.

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