Bike it Up Racing successfully organised its first-ever cycling event last Sunday on Mdina Road, Żebbuġ, in collaboration with the Żebbuġ Local Council, attracting more than 80 cyclists across youth and adult categories.
A newly founded sports club focused on cycling and triathlon, Bike it Up Racing has, in just its second season, already cemented itself as one of the leading teams in local cycling. The club has built its reputation through podium finishes, race wins, and a consistently combative and visible racing style both locally and abroad. That strength was also reflected in its home event, where Bike it Up Racing won the Under 16 Boys category through Gao Ping and dominated the Male Open Team Time Trial with a controlled victory by a margin of more than two minutes.
The event featured an Individual Time Trial for youth riders and a Team Time Trial for the female and male adult open categories. The return of the Team Time Trial was particularly significant, as the discipline had been absent from the local cycling calendar for the past two years.
The event was marked by strong participation, competitive racing and smooth organisation, making it a successful debut for Bike it Up Racing as an event organiser.
In the youth Individual Time Trial categories, Raphael Buhagiar of Mosta CC won the Under 12 Boys race in 7:50.22, ahead of Zachary Vella of Mosta CC and Kruiven Farrugia of Bike it Up Racing. In the Under 12 Girls category, Amy Micallef Cann, riding as an individual, took first place in 10:05.50.
In the Under 14 Boys category, Ethan Cumbo of Team Greens claimed victory in 15:02.23, followed by Jake Said and Kurt Grech of Mosta CC. Mickaya Fava of Shamrock Stars won the Under 14 Girls race in 17:00.77, ahead of Kim Micallef Cann.
The Under 16 Boys race was won by Gao Ping of Bike it Up Racing in 25:43.95, with Neil Cassar of Team Greens in second and Tim Buttigieg Scicluna of Mosta CC in third. In the Under 16 Girls category, Nina Debono Curmi of D Sports Lab finished first in 33:20.75, followed by Eliza Vella of Mosta CC.
In the Female Open Team Time Trial, Deborah Schembri and Diana Muscat took victory in a time of 33:20.53. Bike it Up Ladies, represented by Lindsey Pirotta and Pia Grech, finished second, while Jess Rymer and Katinka Zahra Lehtonen, placed third.
The Male Open Team Time Trial was won by Bike it Up Racing in 34:15.10 through Daniel Briffa, John Camilleri, Jacob Schembri and Pierre Borg. Agones finished second in 36:16.01 through Luke Borg, Mark Bonnici and Mark Micallef, while Mosta CC secured third place in 36:28.11 with Clive Bugeja, Andrew Caruana, Etienne Cutajar and Jeffrey Borg.
Bike it Up Racing thanked all participating cyclists, clubs, supporters, officials, volunteers and collaborators who contributed to the success of the event, which delivered a strong turnout and a welcome return of Team Time Trial racing to the Maltese cycling scene.
