Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1544188
9 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 2 APRIL 2026 SPORTS Shamrock Stars Sports Club hosts successful criterium in Ta' Sannat THE Shamrock Stars Sports Club staged a criterium cycling race in Ta' Sannat, Gozo, on Sunday, organisers and local re‑ ports said. The event was held in compliance with regulations of the Malta Cycling Federation and drew competitors across multiple age and category divi‑ sions. Races were contested from youth through elite levels. In the Under‑12 boys' category, Zachary Vella of Mosta CC fin‑ ished first, followed by team‑ mates Raphael Buhagiar and Nolan Tabone. Ethan Cumbo of Team Greens claimed the Un‑ der‑14 boys' title, and Mickaya Fava of Shamrock Stars won the girls' equivalent race. In the Under‑16 boys catego‑ ry, Neil Cassar of Team Greens took the top spot ahead of Gop Ping of Bike It Up Racing and Jake Refalo of Shamrock Stars, while Zia Fiji of Shamrock Stars topped the girls' race. Masters and junior categories were also contested, with Liran Ben‑Ari (Agones SFC) winning the Mas‑ ters 40+ event and Andrei Cas‑ sone (Agones SFC) winning the junior race. In the women's category, Lind‑ sey Pirotta finished first, with Michelle Vella Wood and Kat‑ inka Zahra Lehtonen of Team Greens completing the podium. The elite race ended with a final sprint won by Antoine Magaud of Agones SFC, ahead of two Bike It Up Racing riders. Organisers thanked all partic‑ ipants, officials, and supporting bodies, including the Ministry for Gozo and Planning, Sannat Local Council, Transport Mal‑ ta, the Police, the Emergency Response & Rescue Corps, mar‑ shals, volunteers, and the Malta Cycling Federation secretary general. The criterium is part of Sham‑ rock Stars Sports Club's cycling programme and follows previ‑ ous editions of the Sannat Cri‑ terium. The club has organised the event in previous years in collaboration with local bodies and national cycling authori‑ ties. In the women's category, Lindsey Pirotta finished first, with Michelle Vella Wood and Katinka Zahra Lehtonen of Team Greens completing the podium. The elite race ended with a final sprint won by Antoine Magaud of Agones SFC, ahead of two Bike It Up Racing riders