The 2004 Tour of Malta threw up a surprising finale yesterday when unfancied Italian cyclist Matteo Salute completed an impressive recovery to win the fourth and final stage of the Malta Tour and don the Red Jersey after topping the overall standings with a slight margin.
This was a most unexpected win for the Fina Team cyclist who was trailing former leader Roderick Muscat by one minute nine seconds prior to yesterday's final stage.
However, the Palermo-based rider produced a powerful performance, dominating the 55km stage which took the cyclists from Sliema to Ghadira and back, crossing the finish line first in 1:42.57. He moved top of the overall standings with 5:28.01... a mere two seconds ahead of Gary Baker and three over Muscat. Jack Schiavone was fourth overall (5:28.12).
"I'm absolutely delighted with this result because I never expected to recover so much ground on the front runners," Salute told The Times.
"On Saturday, I started the race with a cautious approach because I wanted to save my energy for the final stage which better suited my qualities. My plan today was to set a quick pace and open a huge lead over my rivals. My team gave me great support and it was thanks to their effort that I'm celebrating my first ever win away from my country."
For Salute, yesterday's result was a vast improvement on his last showing in Malta. In 2001, he made his first appearance in the Tour, finishing a distant 13th. Now the 27-year-old builder, who practises cycling in his free time, plans to return to his homeland and take part in a number of races in Sicily.
While Salute was celebrating, Muscat and Baker were left with a bitter taste.
Muscat, who completed yesterday's race in 1:44.09, was literally in tears after failing by a whisker to become the first-ever Maltese winner in the Tour.
"I'm very disappointed," the Pamsons CC rider said. "Unfortunately, my team-mates did not succeed in providing the needed back-up and in the end, it was too tough for me to keep up with the fast pace set by the front runners.
"However, for a 17-year-old to place third in the Malta Tour is not bad," Muscat added.
Muscat revealed that in the coming weeks he will travel to Belgium to join a club there, Team Cycliste de Hesbaye, with whom he will be competing in several races in France.
Baker, the 2000 Tour winner, was left fuming after going off course at the end of the final downhill at Sliema, a mishap that ultimately cost him victory.
"To miss out on the title in such a manner is very disappointing," Baker said. "I had managed to keep Salute well within sight and if I hadn't committed that mistake in the final part of the race, I would have certainly won the Tour."
Dominant Blum
Meanwhile, Katharina Blum topped the women's category after another comfortable win in the final stage. The German rider won yesterday's leg in 1:50.25 to place first in the overall standings with a total time of 4:57.24.
Inge Kep of Holland had to settle once more for the runner-up place, clocking 1:55.41 to finish second overall in 5:04.14. Anne Karelle, of France, placed third overall in 5:05.11.
"I really enjoyed my time here in Malta. The organisation was very good and the climatic conditions were far better than those in Germany," Blum remarked. "Even though the result hints at a comfortable win, I can assure that I still had to give my all to win this Tour."
Overall standings: Men - 1. M. Salute (Italy) 5:28.01; 2. G. Baker (Britain) 5:28.03; 3. R. Muscat (Malta) 5:28.04.
Women - 1. K. Blum (Germany) 4:57.24; 2. I. Klep (Holland) 5:04.14; 3. A. Karelle (France) 5:05.11.