2 weeks after the TCSSE, I participated in the Tour of Malta. This was my 5th Tour. My coach told me that it was not a good idea to do the tour as one of the reasons why I did not perform in the TCSSE was overtraining. In fact I was not feeling so good in the days leading to the tour. I could not push and I did very few training. No pushing just easy. I still decided to do it as I was finding it difficult to pull out so I decided to start and evaluate my performance and conditions day by day.
The first stage was a 26km Time Trial at the Salina Coast Road. I started the tour on a good note. I managed to keep an average speed of 40km.hr covering the distance in 39.06. It was very windy and I was riding very strong especially headwind but still was not feeling that strong and I suffered a bit in the last lap. I came home 17th overall and 8th Maltese.
(Photo Courtesy: Mr.Warren Muscat)
The Second Stage was a 90km Mass Start around San Martin Circuit. I managed to stay with the group which included all the best Maltese Cyclists. All those attacks killed a bit my legs and I felt them in the last 20km of the race. However I wanted to stay with the group at all costs no matter what, even if my legs were tired and full of cramps. I did a very nice race finishing in 21st place and 9th Maltese.
(Photo Courtesy: Mr Warren Muscat)
The Third stage, a 60km Mass Start around Nadur Circuit, was the best race of the tour, if not one of the best races in my career. I was one of the very few Maltese to stay with the best riders of tour managing to keep the frenetic pace they where riding. They pace was very fast that after 3 laps I was already dead and was wondering if will manage to finish the race. They were attacked after each turn around and I never pushed so much in a race. I wanted to stay with the best guys at al costs. At one point I was pushing so much that my chest was touching the handlebar. With 2 laps to go the group was fractioned in various small groups. I finished the race in 15th position and 3rd Maltese. In the general classification I moved up to 15th place and 4th Maltese overall
The 4th Stage was a 12.8km Time Trial at Zebbug by pass. It was the only race of the tour without strong winds. I had a very good race covering the distance in 18.21 keeping an average speed of 41.8km/hr. I came in 15th place and 7th Maltese. In the G.C. I remained in 15th place and 4th Maltese. I am very happy with my result because I was not expecting such a good result and after a period of overtraining. This was my best tour in my career and I would like to thank my club, Birkirkara St Joseph for the support and also to my mum for her great support. She came to support me in every single race and I felt that I was not cycling alone because my mum raced with me as well. THANKS MUM!!!!!
Yours in Sport.
Keith
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