Watch: Malta debuts in World cycling championships

Malta wrote a new page in the World Cycling history books when it was represented for the first time in the World Championships on Sunday 18 September 2022 in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.

Two cyclists of Maltese descent living in Australia, Daniel Bonello and Alexander Smyth took part in the Time Trial on the Wollongong circuit over a distance of 34.2km.

Bonello had a wonderful performance when he completed his two laps in a time of 44:57.14, while Alexander Smyth ended his race at 47:14.64. This Time Trial was won by Norwegian Tobias Foss in a time of 40:02.78. Stefan Kung of Switzerland finished second and Belgian Remco Evenepoel third.

The 2022 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Road World Championships continue throughout this week with several other category races. The Maltese contingent is being led by the secretary general of the Malta Cycling Federation Joe Bajada who during these days is holding several other meetings, as well as his participation as a UCI voting delegate in Thursday’s Congress.

In an intervention made by Bajada together with UCI President David Lappartient, Malta was given a wild card so that Daniel Bonello could also take part in the road race on Saturday, a race that will start in Helensburgh over a distance of 266.9 km.

In the meantime, the Maltese contingent was invited by the Maltese club of Illawarra at the Cringila Cultural Centre. Distinguished personalities including Wollongong Mayor Gordon Bradbery and NSW Consul Lawrence Buhagiar also took part in the event.

In a speech on the occasion by the Club President Louis Parnis, he said that it was very satisfying for them not only to welcome a Maltese contingent but also to do all their best to make this Maltese visit to Wollongong a successful one. Bajada thanked the Parnis for the support and care given by Parnis and his wife Lina on this Australian experience.