Andrea Mifsud has delivered a historic result for Maltese cycling, finishing fifth in the men’s road race at the XX Mediterranean Games.
The Maltese cyclist crossed the line in 3:01:26 after a demanding race that saw the field split into several groups, ultimately producing what Team Malta described as the country’s best cycling result at Games of this calibre.
Mifsud battles to fifth place
Mifsud remained in the chase group as three riders established themselves at the front of the race.
Unable to close the gap to the leading trio, attention turned to the battle behind them. Mifsud contested the final sprint against the four other riders in his group and came out ahead to secure fifth overall.
It was also a collective effort from the Maltese cycling team. Bernard Galea supported Mifsud during the first half of the race, before Aidan Buttigieg took over that role during the second half and remained with him through to the final climb.
Sam Cassar fights back in badminton
It was also a positive Monday for Malta on the badminton court, where Sam Cassar came from behind to defeat Cyprus’s Nikolaos Kokosis in three sets.
Cassar lost the opener 21-18 before responding with a 21-19 victory in the second. He then completed the comeback by taking the deciding set 21-13.
The victory sets up a men’s singles meeting with Italy’s Giovanni Toti on Tuesday.
Martina Clark’s women’s singles campaign ended in the Round of 32 following a 21-4, 21-9 defeat to Greece’s Georgia Sotiriou, while Francesca Clark lost 21-11, 21-8 against Italy’s Gianna Stiglich Guzman.
The Clark siblings are due to return to action together in the women’s doubles against Greece on Thursday.
Another Raffa victory for Stefan Farrugia
Stefan Farrugia added another positive result for Team Malta with victory over Algeria’s Houssam Eddine Hamel in Raffa.
Farrugia won the contest 1-0 across four ends, responding to his defeat against San Marino’s world champion Jacopo Frisoni the previous day.
Team Malta’s Mediterranean Games campaign continues on Tuesday with athletes competing across badminton, shooting and tennis.
