A Sprint Finsh win

Hi Everyone

The first race of the birkirkara st joseph Triathlon Series was one to remember. I went into the race not in the best possible condition as i was very sick in the beginning of race week. I did not train for four days, so my target to go under the hour had to change to try and at least win the race.


(photo courtesy: George Bonnici)

I tried to start the race on a high momentum but from the first strokes in the swim i noticed that i was not that sharp. I tried to hang on with a relay team swimmer but the pace was very fast and since i had a triathlon and not a swim, i settled in my owm pace. I was feelimg strong but noticed that i was not so fast. Covered 750m in 11.30 and i was closly followed by team mate Carl Attard

Carl has a strong bike and a good run, so since am not in shape i thought that the race won't be an easy one to win. On the bike we pushed ourselves to the limit trying to open a gap but no one could make the difference. We both covered 20km just over 30mins and considering it was windy, the time was excellent. Same thing happened in the run. None of us could open a gap so the race had to be decided in a sprint finish.


(photo courtesy: Mariel Sacco)

At this stage of the race, the 2008 championships crossed my mind. I lost that championships in a sprint finish against my brother by a mere 6 seconds. Although i was in a better shape than him i lost the race. So i reduced alot my pace and waited for the right moment. I attacked at 800m to go. Carl responeded immediately but noticed that he was suffering. AT 200M TO GO I gave the last kick and went to win the race in 1.00.39. Only 20seconds away from my personal best

Considering i was not in shape, I am pleased with my performance but a bit dissappointed because i realised that i missed another good chance to go under the hour. I enjoyed doing the race because it was an exciting race till the end with 2 athletes give their utmost till the end based on true sportsmanship. These type of races makes one confirm how nice sports is.


(photo courtesy: Chris Azzopardi)

2 weeks after i particpated in the 2nd race of the National Cycling Championship. A 33km TT around the usual course in Salina. I had another great performance placing 4th in a time of 48.15 keeping an aveerage speed of 41.1km/hr. This is my best ever resut and placing in a Time Trial among the best Time trailist in Malta. Last year my best placing in a TT was 8th so there is a considerable improvement.


(photo courtesy: Mariel Sacco)

That's all for now

Yours

Keith

1st in 17km Agones Individual Time Trial

(Photo courtesy: Mr Warren Muscat)
Hi Everyone

Last Sunday I confirmed my current fine form as I won the 17.1km Time Trail organised by the Agones Sports Club. The Time Trail is the 2nd race of the Agones Sports Series.

I registered the best performance of the day as I covered the 17.1km in 25miniutes 07seconds keeping an average Speed of 41km/hr. Greens Cycling Club duo Fabio Spiteri and Gerald Said finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in 25.50 and 25.52


(Photo courtesy: Mr Warren Muscat

I am very happy with my performance. I felt very strong and very happy of keeping such a high average speed. At the moment I am in a good form and very happy as I am performing in every race I am doing. I am also pleased with the performance of my athlete Karl Cortis who came 2nd in the Mountain Bike Category and now he is 5th in the Agones Series General Classification. Well done mate!!!!

Will keep you updated

Keith

First Victory in a 10km Race

Hi Everyone

On Sunday 29th May I won my first ever 10km running race in the elite category in my home town, Mosta. I was looking for a personal best but with the windy condition is was nearly impossible to set a fast time so I focused on just winning the race

I took the lead from the very first kilometres. After 1km I was joined by other two runners. We remain together until the 5th kilometres were I significantly increased the pace and opened a good advantage which I manage to keep till the end.



I came home first, way in front from my opponents in a time of 36minutes. I am very happy with my performance because thanks to this win Birkirkara St Joseph regained the top spot in a running race and it was simply great coming first in my own home town Before this race,

I achieved another good result in the 2nd race of the National Cycling Championship held in San Martin Circuit. I placed 4th and was only beaten by other 3 cyclists in a sprint finish. I attacked in the beginning of the race and hoped to get other riders with me but was immediately reached by the main group.



Then the main favourites of the race made their move and I attacked with them. I happened to be with Etienne bonello and Maurice Formosa in the lead like the previous race. Clive Ebejer of Melita C.C. was also in the leading group and we worked really well together so that this attack will be successful. The race had to be decided in a sprint finish. Etienne won the race with Maurice 2nd, Clive 3rd and me 4th.

Train Safe

Keith