Ellie Mitchinson and Carmelo Nicolosi secure victories in other categories
Under warm, summer-like conditions, Antoine Magaud of The Cyclist by Agones claimed overall victory in the 30th edition of the Visit Malta Tour of Malta, earning his second title after previously winning in 2023 and equalling Giuseppe Di Salvo’s record of two Tour victories.
Magaud sealed the overall win by taking victory in the final race on the St Paul’s Bay Bypass circuit, completing the 45.1km stage in 1:36:24 and finishing the Tour with a combined time of 3:54:52. His teammate Kai Azzopardi placed second in both the final stage and the overall standings, clocking 1:40:24 in the final race and an aggregate time of 4:03:06. Fellow The Cyclist by Agones rider Andrei Cassone, competing in his debut Tour, secured third place overall with a total time of 4:03:31.
In the Maltese overall classification, Kai Azzopardi finished as the highest-ranked local rider with a time of 4:03:06, followed by Andrei Cassone in second on 4:03:31, while Clive Ebejer of Team Greens placed third in 4:32:59.
The women’s title went to Ellie Mitchinson of Brother UK – On Form, who completed the final 36.8km stage in 1:27:44 and secured overall victory with a total time of 3:46:21. Defending champion Gemma Mitchell of FTP Racing Team finished second overall in 3:46:38, while Margerita Di Martino of ASD Bike Queen Sicilia claimed third place in 3:54:57.
In the Maltese Women’s Classification, Ella Friedlander of Cycle Club Ashwell (UK) topped the standings with an overall time of 4:10:37. Michelle Vella Wood finished second in 4:20:21, while Katinka Zahra Lehtonen, both representing Team Greens, placed third in 5:18:55.
Team Greens also endured misfortune during the Tour, with Marie Claire Aquilina forced to withdraw following an accident during the second stage, while Diana Muscat and Danica Bonello Spiteri were unable to finish the same stage due to mechanical issues.
In the Masters category, Daniele Arizzi of MTB ASD Rosolini (Sicily) won the final 36.8km stage in a sprint finish, clocking 1:15:59 and narrowly beating David Mitchinson of Sigma Sports Masters (UK), with Mario Marino finishing third.
Overall Masters honours went to Carmelo Nicolosi of Team Sparkle Scicli (Sicily), who completed the Tour in 3:21:54. Carmelo Aiello followed in second place with 3:22:10, while David Mitchinson secured third overall in 3:22:52.
In the Maltese Masters Classification, Arec Kawalec of Team Greens finished first with a total time of 3:24:49, ahead of his teammate in second place on 3:31:49 and Robert Zammit in third on 3:49:20.
At the end of the final stage, medals, trophies and leaders’ jerseys were presented by Architect Censu Galea, Mayor of St Paul’s Bay, alongside senior officials from the Malta Cycling Federation, including President John Zammit, Secretary General Joe Bajada and Treasurer Daniel Borg Olivier.
The Tour was organised under the auspices of the Malta Cycling Federation, with support from Visit Malta, Sport Malta and the Malta Olympic Committee. The organising committee also thanked Transport Malta, the local councils of San Ġwann, St Paul’s Bay and Mġarr, LESA, ARRTS Timing System, the Palazzin Hotel and all participating clubs for their continued support in making the event a success.
