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Team Triumph at Tough Ta’ Penellu Circuit

Yesterday’s race at the tough Ta’ Penellu circuit in Mellieħa was a real test, with steep climbs and a hard course, but our team rose to the challenge.

We had a great performance in the elite category, taking 2nd and 3rd place. Jacob and Aidan battled in a tight sprint for the win, with Jacob just missing out. John followed closely for 3rd after a long 3-man breakaway. Matthew and Daniel rode strongly in the second group to finish 4th and 7th, their teamwork is quickly becoming a highlight of the season. Pierre rounded off the top 10, giving us 4 riders in the top 7, and 5 in the top 10 overall. Carl Xerri and Chris Buhagiar also raced well in the elite field.

In the Masters 50+, David Cushing was unstoppable again, riding away solo early and taking a clear win. In the Masters 40+, Malcolm continued his steady comeback with another solid effort.

This was a strong team showing and gives us a great position heading into the final road race of the season at Fleur de Lys on 29th June.

2025 National Road Race Championships: San Martin Highlights

The 2025 National Road Race Championships opened with a testing course in San Martin, raced in the reverse direction of the traditional route and our team rose to the challenge.

Jacob led the results with a superb 2nd place in a three-man sprint. Just behind, John turned in one of the rides of the day, repeatedly dropped but never giving in, fighting back time after time to secure a well-earned 4th place.

Salvaging key points after being caught in an early race split, with support from Pierre and Daniel, Matthew timed his attack perfectly, breaking clear in the final lap to secure 7th place. Also riding in the Elite category were Chris Buhagiar and Carl Xerri, both of whom are steadily improving race by race in their first racing season.

In the Masters 50+ category, David stormed to 1st place, claiming top honors and adding to the team’s growing medal tally. We also had Malcolm competing in the Masters category, continuing to show consistency and strength in his first season back racing.

A huge thank you to all those who supported the team on the roadside.

We now shift our focus to the next challenge, the Mosta CC Road Race in Żebbuġ on May 25th, where we’ll look to carry this momentum forward.

National Time Trial Championships: Our Team’s Strong Start

The opening round of the National Time Trial Championships took place yesterday on the fast and familiar Coast Road, and our team kicked off the series in style with a strong all-around performance in the Elite category.

We came away with a significant points haul, placing four riders in the top seven. Daniel led the charge with a well-earned podium finish, followed closely by John and Jacob in 4th and 5th respectively. Matthew rounded out our top-seven presence with a solid 7th place, his best performance on a TT bike.

Keith, Chris, and Kevin also delivered strong rides, finishing 13th, 16th, and 18th, while James Geiger impressed in his debut ride for the team, placing 14th on a road bike.

A special mention goes to Simon Azzopardi, Carl Xerri, Mark Scicluna, and Carl Xuereb, who all hit personal bests on their road bikes, showing encouraging signs of progress early in the season. It was also great to see Matthew Dalli back in action and racing on the road once again.

In the Masters categories, Malcolm Aber secured 7th in the 40+ division. Meanwhile, in the 50+ race, we celebrated a 1-2 finish, with David Cushing taking the win and Kevin Muscat finishing just 12 seconds behind to complete the podium sweep.

With a strong start in the time trials behind us, we now turn our attention to the road, as the Road Race Championship kicks off this Sunday at San Martin.

Giro dell’Etna: A Challenging Race Recap

Last weekend, our team took part in the Giro dell’Etna, a challenging race with 121km of riding and 2,100 meters of climbing. Nearly 500 cyclists were at the start, and there was a great atmosphere before the race, everyone excited and ready to go.

We traveled on Saturday morning, driving from Pozzallo to Nicolosi. After settling in, we went for a short ride to check out the last hills of the race. Later, we picked up our race numbers and got everything ready for the next day.

The race itself was tough but beautiful. Jacob had a fantastic ride, just missing the podium with 4th place in the Elite category. John finished 6th, even though he had some bike problems, and Daniel came in 11th with a strong effort.

Big shoutout to Matthew, who was riding really well all day and was set to finish with Daniel, but had a flat tire just 7km from the finish. Carl Xerri did a great job in his first race, Andre showed a lot of determination in his longest ever ride, and Chris delivered another strong and steady ride.

It was a hard day, but the team showed great effort and teamwork. Now our focus turns to the upcoming National Championships.

Team’s Impressive Debut at Tour of Malta 2025

Our team made a strong and memorable debut at this year’s Tour of Malta, competing against tough opposition and leaving our mark on every stage. With ten riders taking to the start line, we consistently placed more than one rider in the Elite Class Top 10 throughout the weekend, a true showing to the depth and determination of our squad.

Special congratulations goes to Jacob, who delivered an outstanding performance by finishing 2nd in the final stage and securing 3rd place in the Local General Classification. He was closely followed by John, and Matthew, who wrapped up a strong weekend with a 5th place finish in the Local GC, making it three of our riders inside the Top 5.

Daniel Briffa showed great form early in the tour with an excellent time trial that placed him well in the standings. He carried strong momentum into Stage 2, but unfortunately, a tyre blowout ended his chances of fighting for the overall classification. Despite the setback, Daniel bounced back on Stage 3 with a determined ride that saw him secure another Top 10 stage finish whilst ensuring Matthew held onto 5th place.

We also want to highlight the incredible resilience of Pierre Borg, who battled through illness but still gave everything he had for the team across all stages.

In the Masters category, David Cushing delivered a brilliant performance, finishing 3rd locally and showing the class that defines his racing.

A special mention must also go to Chris Buhagiar, Carl Xuereb, Mark Scicluna, and Malcolm Aber, all of whom completed their first Tour of Malta with strong, positive performances. Each of them laid a solid foundation, gaining experience in what is the most demanding races on the local calendar.

Of course, none of this success would be possible without the incredible people who work tirelessly behind the scenes. To the everyone who support us throughout the year, this weekend’s achievements are yours as well.

Proud is an understatement. This is only the beginning!

Race Recap: First Place Finish and Strong Team Performance

We kicked off our local racing season with a strong performance in the first race of the year, held in Zebbug. The course was a 7.5km loop, raced over 10 laps for a total of 75km.

From the very start, our team showed we meant business. We set a fast pace in the first hour, making the race hard for everyone else. Daniel Briffa led from the front, helping us control the race and cause splits in the bunch at every technical corner. Matthew Portelli began testing the competition with a few early attacks.

The key moment came around 35km into the race. After a fast left-hand turn onto the back straight, a small gap opened. Daniel made the most of the moment and helped Jacob Schembri break away. Jacob rode solo all the way to the finish for an impressive win.

Behind him, John Camilleri and Matthew Portelli did a great job controlling the chase. In the final kilometre, team debutant Pierre Borg launched a strong attack and secured 2nd place. It was a dream 1-2 finish for us in our first ever race.

Matthew just missed the podium in a tight sprint for 3rd, with John finishing close behind. This meant we had four riders in the top 7.

Brandon Abela, Chris Buhagiar, and another debutant, Mark Scicluna, all put in solid rides to complete a strong team showing in the Elite Category.

We also had great results in the Masters categories. In the 50+ category, David Cushing won and Kevin Muscat finished 3rd, giving us a double podium. Malcolm Aber also raced well in his first outing in the 40+ group.

It was a great start to the season, and we’re excited for what’s to come! Our next race is the Tour of Malta, which will take place from the 25th to 27th of April. We’re looking forward to keeping the momentum going and putting in another strong team performance.

Success at Mediofondo Hibla Mayor: Highlights & Results

Our team kicked off the racing season in style at the Mediofondo Hibla Mayor Citta di Avola, a challenging event that put our riders to the test.

The race, part of the Coppa Sicilia, featured over 300 participants taking on a demanding 77km course with 1,400m of elevation gain.

Starting from Piazza Teatro in Avola, the race began under tricky conditions with rain making the roads slick and visibility difficult. However, as the event progressed, the weather cleared, allowing for a competitive contest on the hilly terrain.

Our riders delivered an excellent performance, with John Camilleri securing a 3rd place finish in his category, followed closely by Jacob Schembri in 4th place. Their strong efforts were complemented by commendable rides from Matthew Portelli, Daniel Briffa, David Cushing, and Christopher Buhagiar, demonstrating strength and endurance from start to finish.

With this solid start to the season, our focus now shifts to the next race in Zebbug on the 13th of April. We’re eager to build on this momentum and continue pushing for top results in the races ahead.

Bike it Up Racing: A Journey of Friendship and Community

When speaking with Daniel Briffa, Secretary of the newly formed Bike it Up Cycling Team, one thing is clear—this is more than just a team; it’s a family. “Our team is built on strong friendships and mutual support,” Briffa shares. “That’s what has helped us grow and improve over the years. By sticking together and staying true to our values, we’ve found success and strengthened our bond.”

The team originally competed under the Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club’s cycling division. However, when the club was formally dissolved earlier this year, the members faced a big decision. “It was a difficult time,” Briffa admits. “We could have gone our separate ways, but instead, we chose to continue our journey together.” Bike it Up was born, carrying forward the same team spirit and determination.

A Fresh Start in 2025
Looking ahead to their first official season as Bike it Up Racing in 2025, the team is excited for the opportunities ahead. “The transition wasn’t easy,” Briffa explains. “But we’re looking forward to the year ahead, both in competition and in building a stronger cycling community.”

The team is committed to making cycling accessible to all, not just competitive athletes. “We want to promote cycling as more than just a sport,” Briffa says. “It’s a way to stay active, explore new places, and improve overall wellbeing.”

Local and International Goals

While maintaining their close-knit atmosphere, Bike it Up has big ambitions for the coming year. “We’ll be competing in all major local cycling events, including the Tour ta’ Malta and the National Championships,” Briffa shares. “We’re also proud to support and participate in races organised by fellow sports clubs.”

Beyond local races, the team is preparing for international competition. “Our first event abroad will be the Mediofondo Hibla Major Città di Avola in Sicily,” Briffa reveals. “After that, we’ll take on the Trofeo Puglisi in Floridia, the Gran Fondo di Ragusa, and a UCI race in Turkey later in the year.”

More Than Just Racing

Despite their competitive goals, Bike it Up remains focused on its core values. “Success isn’t just about podium finishes,” Briffa says. “It’s about the friendships we’ve built and the people we’ve inspired.”

With a strong sense of teamwork, ambition, and passion for cycling, Bike it Up is set to make an impact both on and off the racecourse. As Briffa puts it, “Cycling is more than just a sport—it’s a journey, an adventure, and a way to connect with others.” And with that mindset, the team is ready to ride towards a bright future.

SOURCE: https://maltasport.mt/malta-sports/malta-cycling/cycling-together-interview-with-daniel-briffa-secretary-of-bike-it-up-cycling-team/

Training Ride in Sicily: Preparing for the Mediofondo Hybla Major – Citta di Avola

Our team had a great training ride in Sicily to prepare for this weekend’s race in Avola, part of the Coppa Sicilia. This was a recon ride, meaning we checked the route to get ready for race day.

Thanks to Giancarlo, we settled into Terrazze Sul Mare Hotel before rolling out at 9 AM for what would be a fast 170km ride.

The route had 1,900 meters of elevation gain, including the 76 km race course. It had two main climbs. The first was Avola Antica, an 8 km climb at 5% with many hairpin turns and amazing views. After that, we rode through quiet country roads to the second climb, from Noto to Testa dell’Acqua, a 15 km climb at 4%.

We finished with a fast descent back to Avola before heading home to Pozzallo. It was a challenging but beautiful ride. Now, we’re ready for race day.

Sicilian Ride

Our latest team adventure took us beyond the shores of Malta, to the scenic roads of Sicily. With an early morning ferry to Pozzallo, we arrived eager and ready for a full day in the saddle. Thanks to Giancarlo, we settled into Terrazze Sul Mare Hotel before rolling out at 10 AM for what would be a thrilling 145km ride.

With perfect weather and clear skies, the first 90km were a fast and steady affair, with our rouleurs setting the pace on relatively flat roads leading west to Marina di Ragusa. Spirits were high, the coastal views were stunning, and the group stayed tight. But the real test awaited.

Turning inland, we took on the 8km climb to Comiso, averaging a 5% gradient—just enough to let the climbers show their strength. As always, the top of the climb served as a natural regrouping point before we powered back towards Pozzallo at a fast tempo, working as a unit.

After 4 hours and 10 minutes in the saddle, with an impressive average speed of 35kph, it was time to refuel. A well-earned meal in Pozzallo capped off a perfect day before we hopped back on the ferry, returning home with tired legs and great memories.

Until the next one!