Pierre Borg wins Mosta Sprint Elite Race

Agones Sfc Rider Pierre Borg won the Santa Marija Sprint Elite Race, organised by the Mosta AF Sign Studio as part of the celebration for the St. Mary Feast.  Coached by Malta Triathlon Champion Keith Galea, the Agones Rider launched his final sprint at 400m to go.  Mosta Riders Steve Sciberras and Paul Magri immediately responded to Borg's Sprint but they could not match his incredible sprinting Power and went on to win his first race of the season with Sciberras and Magri coming in second and Third respectively. Borg's win is also the first win for Agones Sfc in a Cycling Elite Race.

Pierre Borg had a very good season. He came 3rd overall in the 3rd race of the National Cycling championships held in Zurrieq, 2nd in the Criterium Race held in Siggiewi and was part of the winning relay team of the 2nd race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Triathlon Series where he performed the 20km bike segment registering the 3rd best bike split of the day.

2nd in my category in the Garmin Cernobbio Triathlon

Hi Everyone

During the past month I was training hard for the Garmon TriO Cernobbio Triathlon. Before the race I took part in several races as part of my training schedule. I came 2^nd in the 2^nd race of the BSJ 5km series setting a new personal best time of 16mins 17sec. I also took part in the 4th and 5^th race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Swimming Series, coming 3^rd in 29.48 and 4^th in a personal best time on 2km in 28.15

On Sunday 4^th August I was on the starting line for the Garmin TriO Cernobbio Triathlon, Province of Como. I managed to produce a very good performance. The race was part of the Italian ranking, so the best Italian triathletes were expected to be on the starting line. The prevailing weather were not ideal as the race started at 1pm in temperature hovering around 40 degrees Temperature

Swimming strongly against the water currents of Lake Como, I managed to cover the 1.5km swim in 23minutes 22 seconds. The 40km bike course was very hilly and we had to cycle from Cernobbio through the village of Mennaggio and back twice. I covered the 40km in 1 hour 2 minutes. At the point when I  started the run, the weather was hot. I started the hilly 10km at a good pace but the heat was taking its toll on my pace. He covered the 10km in 40minutes 20 sec to finish the race in 2 hours 8mins and a respectable 22^nd place from 800 participants including Italian professional Triathletes, and 2^nd in my Category

I am very happy with my performance. I wanted to test myself with the Italian guys. Unfortunately since I was a foreigner, I was in the non- Italian wave and happened to be the strongest. In fact I came 1st in my wave. However I spent too much time alone on the bike while the Italians were drafting and this was a major drawback. The heat in the run was very taxing and I could not run at my usual pace. I would like to thanks my sponsor Garmin Malta for assisting me during this trip

Back in Malta, I took part in the last race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Open water Swimming Championships. Thanks to my good performance in the 4km swim, the Saint finished 3^rd overall in the General Classification. I would like to thank the KMS for the 20/20 Elite Scheme, my sponsors  Garmin Malta, Starbene Shop of Mosta and BBB Bike Parts, my coach Dermot Galea and also my wife Elizabeth Galea for accompanying and supporting my during this trip.

My Next race is the 3^rd and final race of the Birkirkara St Joseph 5km Running Series on the 20^th August and 5 days after will compete in the 3^rd race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Triathlon Series. However All is targeted for the race on the 15^th September were I will be representing Malta in the World Triathlon Championships in London, Hyde Park

Thats all for now

Keep tuned

Keith

Another victory in BSJ Triathlon Series

Hi Everyone

On the 14^th July I participated in the second race of the Birkirkara St. Joseph Triathlon Series. At the moment my training is focused on the race that I will be doing in Italy on the 4^th august so I wasn’t that sharp as I wished to be for this race but still wanted to well and win the race and extend my lead in the series’ overall classification.

I started the swim at a very strong pace. Went into the lead immediately and I managed to open a good gap on my closest rival covering the 750m in 11minutes which was the best swim split of the day As soon as I started the bike, I felt that my legs were still not in shape after the hard training I did during the week. It took me a bit of time to get into a good rhythm. My rivals were closing the gap behind and slipped to second place. However since I had someone in front to aim was beneficial as I got into a good pace

In the middle of the bike segment I ended up between two Arriva bendy buses. I lost a lot of time trying to overtake them and at one point the bus in front braked and was going to get smashed in between. It was a great risk. I kept calm and still kept on pushing. I came into transition area in first place. I wanted to do a fast transition as I was on time of a personal best. However I lost a lot of time trying to find my stuff. The athlete that had my bike near mine put his bag on my running shoes and I lost a lot of time. I covered the 20km in 29.41 which is a good time but I know I can do much better.

I started the run at a very fast pace. I wanted to do a personal best and wanted to gain back the time lost. There were a few runners of the relay teams in front of me so had a good target trying to catch them. Half way through, I fell and hit my knee badly. I still continued running as fast as I can but praying not to have any other mishap till the finishing line. I finished the race in first place in a time of 59.34, still a personal best time by 6 seconds. I managed to set the best running split of the day covering the 5km in 17.39

I am pleased with my performance but a bit disappointed as with such a good weather I could have gone much faster if I had strong legs and if I didnt had all those mishaps during the race. There are still two sprint races to go so I still have another chance to go faster. I would like to thank my coach Dermot Galea and my sponsors GARMIN MALTA, Starbene shop of Mosta and BBB for their constant support. I would like to say a big thank you to my wife Elizabeth for always coming to support me in every single race

That's all for now

Yours in Sport

Keith

First in opening race of Birkirkara St Joseph 5km Running Series

Hi Everyone

On the 25^th June I took part in the first 5km Race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Road Running Series. The race was part of my training programme. The race was my third session of the day so did not have the fresh legs I wished to have. The week before I managed to complete 27 hours of training and I was a bit tired. I wasn’t expecting much of the race however since I was on the start line of a race I will do my best as usual

As soon as the race started I stayed in the leading pack till the 2^nd Kilometre. After 2km I went in the lead and increased the pace to try and make selection. Legs were still good so I kept on pushing. Only Club team mate Steve Chetcuti managed to keep my pace until the last 200m where I opened a good sprint finish which gave the win in a Personal Best time of 16.17sec.

I also took part in the 2^nd and 3^rd Race of the Birkirkara st Joseph Swimming Series. Both races were of 2km held at Salina Bay. In the first race I had to start in the second wave as I missed the first race of the series due to international commitments in Turkey. It was going to be a 2km Time Trail as I was the fastest swimmer in the wave. I really had to push in order to do a fast time and to finish among the top swimmers. I managed in this attempt as I completed the 2km in 28.48, a new personal best time and finished third in the process.

In the third race, I was in the first wave. I tried to stay behind top Malta Swimmer Neil Agius but he was a class on his own. I ended up in a group of five swimmers. I stayed in front of the group setting up a fast pace. I tried to keep a high momentum to put a gap in between but did not manage. A sprint finish had to decide who will grab 2^nd Place. At 200m to go my opponents opened their sprint. I immediately responded and managed to grab 2^nd place in a new personal best time of 28.47. At the moment I am 3^rd overall in the general classification

I am very pleased with all my performances especially with the 5km as it’s the second win of the season. I am very pleased with my form and am looking forward for the forthcoming races. My next race is the 2^nd race of the birkirkara st Joseph triathlon series.

That’s all for now

Yours in Sport

Keith

Bronze Medal in the ETU European Triathlon Championships

Hi Everyone,

Recently I flew to turkey to participate in the European Triathlon Championships which took place in Alanya on the 14^th June. The level was very high but was still confident that I could achieve a great result. From the results obtained from recent races and tests, I knew that I am in a good shape and wanted to show that in this race as I peaked specifically for this event.

In the 1500m swim I stayed in leading pack. I covered the distance in 22minutes 40 seconds. I expected much better since my times in training are much faster. However I was only 1mins away from the leader so still was a positive result since usually I will be more that 2mins from the first swimmer. It strange that no one swam under 20mins which means that there is the possibility that the course was a bit long.

As soon as I started the bike I felt my legs strong and fresh. It was a positive sign. The only concern was the parts with cobblestones. 15km of the 40km was with cobblestones and that reduces a bit the pace. At first I was not feeling comfortable and couldn’t maintain the pace I wanted on this type of surface. I adapted my position a bit on the bike in order to be more stable than aerodynamic on the bike. The pace I was keeping was very fast and I knew I was going to do a good time. I covered the 40km in a personal best time of 57minutes 45 seconds. An impressive time.

With such a bike spilt, I knew I could break the 2 hour barrier If I ran well. The 10km was completely flat so the chances to run fast were high. I started the run fast but steady and increasing the pace each lap. My wife was there shouting and her support proved to be crucial as in the last lap I said to myself “It’s now or never”. I increased the pace and kept on pushing till the finish line. My Wife and MTF President were shouting as soon as I approached the finishing line.

I sprinted home in a new personal best time 1hr 57mins and winning the bronze Medal in the process.   I covered the 10km in 36minutes which is a fast running split. It was a great honour and very emotional moment when I received my medal on the podium with the Maltese flag around me.  Such a result gives me more motivation to keep on training harder and harder.

I would like to thank my sponsors GARMIN MALTA, STARBENE SHOP of Mosta and BBB for their constant support, my parents, the Malta triathlon Federation, my club Birkirkara St Joseph,  my brother coach Dermot for their support as well. A big thanks goes to my wife Elizabeth for here great support she gives me every single day.

That’s all for now

Yours in Sport - Keith

Back to winning ways

Hi Everyone

Finally the first win of the season arrived. After a poor performance at the national Duathlon Championships due to sickness, I am back on winning ways. I won the first race of the Birkirkara St Joseph Triathlon Series, a series I won for 5 times in my career.  This year I focused a lot on running and had very good performances placing among the top 3 runners. For me that was like a win but coming first is a different feeling. It was not easy for me psychologically to be back on the start line so soon after such a performance in the duathlon but I was determined to prove that I am still on top.

The Triathlon was held at Kalkara Bay. Since it was a different route I did most of my sessions at race venue. I tackled mostly the bike as it was very technical and with false flats parts. It’s a route that it does not suit my characteristics, however if I trained a lot on it I could make the difference. I started the swim at a very fast pace. I took the lead after the first buoy together with my brother/coach Dermot. I was first out of the water covering the 750m in 11minutes 20seconds.

On the bike, I tried to push and put some gap between my brother and I but Dermot was strong so I settled in a good pace. Both my brother and I kept a constant pace. The route was very difficult so I tried to save my legs for the run as it will determine the winner of the race. I covered the 20km in 33minutes registering the third best bike split.

After the bike to run transition I immediately went into the lead. My legs were fresh and I noticed that Dermot was suffering a bit so I pushed a lot. I opened a good gap. In the turnaround there were no marshals and I did not turn until someone told me to turn back because I was going in a completely wrong way. Most of my advantage build was reduced. I kept calm and pushed again to win the race 20seconds in front of my brother and a minute in front of the 3^rd athlete.

I am happy that I am back to winning ways. I trained a lot for this victory and after a win I feel that all the training I am doing is worth it. Now my next commitment is next Friday were I will be on the start line for the European Triathlon Championships which are going to be held in Alanya Turkey were am looking for a positive result and a strong performance. I would like to thank my sponsors GARMIN MALTA, STARBENE SHOP of Mosta and BBB for their constant support.

That’s all for Now

Yours in Sports

Keith

Bad day ruins title defence

Hi Everyone,

On the 18^th May I participated in the national Duathlon Championships. I was looking forward to this race as I was really determined to defend my title. I trained hard for it. In fact my training was very encouraging. After coming back from my honey moon, I had 7 weeks of training to prepare for the race. They were hard 7 weeks and in these 2 weeks I participated in 2 races.

The first race was on the 21^st April. I participated in the last race on the MAAA 10km road running league. I was expecting much from this race as I was still in the third week of pure training. However I had a great result covering the distance in 34.30 coming 4^th overall and 3^rd Maltese. The 2^nd race was the Malta 113km Half Ironman. I did only the 90km segment. Our team was composed of Steve chetcuti swimmer and David Agius Lia the runner.  I was happy that we came first in the relay team competition. My performance was good, however due to inexperience in doing such a long time trail I didn’t paced it well and the last 30km were very painful. I covered the 90min in 2hrs 29mins with an average speed of 36km/hr.

The Duathlon was held at the Zebbug by pass and it consisted of 8.5km run, 38km bike and 4.25km run. I started at a very fast pace. I was leading the race together with another athlete. I was feeling good and confident. However when I started the bike I had a shock. I started suffering from cramps immediately in the first lap. I started to worry as it was a bad sign. I was still leading the race but I could not make the difference. The cramps continued to increase and I could nt push. The wind got stronger and stronger by time and this didn’t help. Pushing with cramps was devastating for my legs as then they got tired and slipped to second place. At that point I noticed I lost the title

In the second run I still kept on pushing to get the lost ground however cramps increased and at one point I stopped walking and then continued to jog as much as I could till the finish line just to finish it race. At one point I was going to stop as I could not run fast with all those cramps and it was very frustrating. I finished the race in 4^th Place. I was very disappointed with this performance. I was not expecting such results. The cramps ruined my race and even on the bike I was not that strong as I was last year

After the race I talked to my coach and we discovered several factors that all together led to such a result. We think that I got dehydrated before the race because maybe I took a bit more coffee that usual as I was feeling a bit nervous before the race and this results in severe cramps.  Another factor was that it was a very bad weather with strong winds and I rarely perform well in such conditions, and the fact that I didn’t like the route as I never performed well on it was another factor.

We looked a bit on the training and we think that since the training was not targeted on this race specifically is another factor as we have other targets in mind. Training is focused on drafting races for international races so the bike intensity was decreased and since this year we focused a lot on running because of the half marathon the cycling intensity was decreased a lot compared to previous years. It is not a matter of fitness or not training well as after the race I did a performance test and the results clearly shows that I am in the best shape of my life as I registered a personal best in it. We now did some arrangement in the training and in the nutrition in order to avoid such a result again.

All the above factors altogether led to such a performance and this means that it was not meant to be. I am still very disappointed as I wanted to win but after a great season like last year a bad trace had to come. Now I am back to training. Am feeling well and am looking forward for the next races to be back on winning ways. I would like to that my sponsors, GARMIN MALTA, STARBENE SHOP of Mosta, and BBB for their support. A big thanks to my wife Elizabeth because she held my a lot during this difficult period after the race in order to pick up myself and get back stronger

That’s all for now

Yours in Sport

Keith