Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/993482
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 13 JUNE 2018 20 CYCLING TENNIS SPORTS Triathlete Fabio Spiteri breaks cycling record in Sicily LAST Sunday, Maltese Triathlete and Double Ironman Fabio Spiteri became the first Maltese, together with three other Italian cyclists, to cycle along the Sicily coastline, which extends across 1000kms, in just three days. This feat comes nearly a year to the date when Spiteri completed his Dou- ble Ironman Challenge (7.6km swim, 360km cycle, 84km run) and estab- lished the current national record. For this epic three-day challenge, Spiteri was joined by three Sicilian Ultra Cyclists - Daniele Tusa, Adri- ano Tusa and Valerio Longo. The three-day course started from the historic fishing port on Sicily's south coast, Sciacca from where they covered 387km for their first stop in Acireale. The first day was going to be the longest. On day two it was on- to Cefalu covering a further 285km, whilst the last stop saw them com- plete a full circle to return back to Sciacca to cover the final distance of 284km. Sicily, known for its breathtaking terrain and landscapes, nevertheless offers some unforgiving routes. If the chosen course was not brutal enough, the cyclists had to contend with high head winds which they had to face for two thirds of the journey. In total the cyclists covered 1,000km and experi- enced a total elevation of 8,000m. "As an endurance athlete, that has been practising such challenges for a number of years, the Sicily in three Days Challenge saw me having to dig very deep into my mental strength reserves as well as suffer some pain- ful blisters," explained Fabio Spiteri at the end of the course. "This chal- lenge, apart from attempting to break the existing record, was also to put in mileage and effort so my body can continue to adapt in preparation for my next challenge which is the Triple Ironman". Spiteri aims to be the first Maltese athlete to undertake the Triple Iron- man which will consist of an 11.4km swim, 540km bike and a 126km run. The race will take place on 27 July. Fabio Spiteri is being supported by Garmin Malta, Eurosport Malta, Wheel Wizard, Millennium Clinics, Mosta Tri Club, Festina, 24/7 Fitness Club, Go & Fun and General Auto- mation Services. Cycles along Sicilian Coastline, covering 1,000km in just three days As an endurance athlete, that has been practising such challenges for a number of years, the Sicily in three Days Challenge saw me having to dig very deep into my mental strength reserves as well as suffer some painful blisters - Fabio Spiteri Nadal admits he thought he would have retired by now AS Rafael Nadal celebrated lifting the French Open trophy for the 11th time, the Spaniard admitted that even he is surprised to be winning Grand Slam titles at the age of 32. "At this age I thought I'd be retired and be having a family," Nadal told Spanish sports newspaper Marca. Nadal, who retained his world number one ranking following Sun- day's triumph in Paris, is also sur- prised that he and great rival Roger Federer, 36, continue to dominate the men's game. The duo's careers seemed all but over after both were sidelined with injuries in 2016 but in the last 18 months, all six majors have been won by either Federer or Nadal. When Federer beat Nadal in the 2017 Australian Open final, the Swiss ended a five-year Grand Slam title drought. Nadal also thought his glory days were over as he had drawn a blank at the majors in 2015 and 2016. "It's surprising because in 2017 I had gone for two years without win- ning a Grand Slam and I think he'd been without one since 2012, too," added Nadal. "Of course it's a surprise because we're getting on a bit and when you've been such a long time with- out winning you don't know if you'll ever do so again." Nadal's victory on Sunday earned him a 17th slam, putting him just three behind Federer's record haul of 20. However, he insisted he is not put- ting any pressure on himself to catch Federer. "Obviously I'd like to have 20 titles like him – or more – but that's not in my head right now, and 17 is an incredible number. I want to enjoy the moment. "I can't be thinking about the next win, that'd drive me crazy. You can't drive yourself crazy if someone has more titles."