Good start for Aidan Buttigieg and Diana Muscat at National Road Race Championship

Aidan Buttigieg, of Team Polti Visit Malta, and Team Greens rider Diana Muscat won the first race of the National Road Race Championship, one of two championships organised by the Malta Cycling Federation.

These races were held on the San Martin circuit, over seven laps for Elite and six for Masters and Women. Each lap was 8.8 km.

Buttigieg finished first in the Elite when he completed his race in a time of 1:37:31.92 after a final sprint with Bike it Up Racing’s Jacob Schembri (1:37:32.41) and Andrea Mifsud, of Nice Métropole Côte d’Azur, who clocked 1:37:32.65.

The women’s race was dominated by Diana Muscat, of Team Greens, who placed first in 1:33:06.74. She was followed by Deborah Schembri of Gozo CC (1:34:11.78) and Marie Team Greens cyclist Claire Aquilina (1:44:49.14).

The Masters 40+ category was dominated by Team Greens cyclists.

Joaquin Rojas topped the class in 1:29:24.44, followed by his team-mates Gesred Borg (1:32:11.40) and Arek Kawalec (1:32:11.51).

David Cushing, of Bike It Up Racing, dominated this Masters 50+ category, where he won in 1:29:55.67. Federico Sermarini, of The Cyclist by Agones, came in second in 1:48:52.65, followed by Team Greens’ Joseph Caruana (2:00:18.37).

These races also served as preparation for the Games of the Small States of Europe, which will be held in Andorra next week.

In a statement, the Malta Cycling Federation sent its best wishes of a speedy recovery to Team Greens cyclist Stefan Debono after he was involved in an accident during this race.

At the same time, the federation thanked those club officials who offered their assistance in the organization of these races despite the difficulties they always encounter.

They also showed their gratitude to the local councils of St Paul’s Bay and Mġarr, as well as Transport Malta officials.

The next race will be held on Sunday, June 8, on the Ta’ Pinellu circuit, in Mellieħa.