Patrick Scicluna Podiums at Etna Marathon as Maltese Mountain Bikers Shine Internationally
The Malta Mountain Bike Association (MMBA) was out in full force at several prestigious international competitions this season, with standout performances from local athletes, most notably Patrick Scicluna, who claimed a podium finish in his category at the Etna Marathon in Sicily.
The Etna Marathon, renowned for its demanding routes and stunning volcanic terrain, attracts elite cyclists and passionate amateurs from across Europe. The 2025 edition welcomed a record number of Maltese participants, a testament to the sport’s rising popularity on the island and the increasing calibre of Maltese riders abroad.
Maltese cyclists competed across three categories, each presenting distinct physical and technical challenges. In the Granfondo category, representing Malta were Carmelo Abela, Danica Bonello Spiteri, Mark Bonnici, Alex Portelli, Carl Saydon, Patrick Scicluna, Fiona Tedesco, and Gordon Zahra. The Marathon category featured Marie Claire Aquilina, Etienne Bonello, Jeffrey Borg, Andrew Caruana, Alejandro Moya Ballester, and Antoine Sultana, while Neil Cassar took on the Excursion category.
The Granfondo route, spanning 45 km with 1,550 metres of elevation gain, demanded stamina and technical skill over rugged volcanic terrain. Among the most notable results:
Patrick Scicluna finished 22nd overall and secured 2nd place in the M5 category.
Mark Bonnici placed 34th overall.
Danica Bonello Spiteri took 2nd in the M3 category and was 2nd among all female riders.
Fiona Tedesco topped the W5 category, finishing 4th overall among women.
In the Marathon category (63.5 km with 2,100 metres of climbing), Maltese riders tackled steep climbs and technical descents. Highlights included:
Andrew Caruana, 29th overall and 7th in the M1 category.
Marie Claire Aquilina, who won the W4 category and finished 2nd overall among women.
In the Excursion category, 13-year-old Neil Cassar demonstrated skill and determination by completing the 20 km course with 800 metres of elevation—an impressive feat for the youngest Maltese competitor.
HERO Südtirol Dolomites
Maltese riders also took on one of Europe’s toughest MTB marathons, the HERO Südtirol Dolomites. In the 60km Elite Sport Master category, Clyve Chetcuti placed in the top 10 tier of his category and finished 41st overall. Competing in the demanding 86km route were Mark Zammit (127th), Stephen Grima (138th), and Robert Grech (250th) out of nearly 700 competitors.
World Cup Debut
In another major milestone for Maltese cycling, 17-year-old Luke Galea became the first Maltese rider to compete in the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike Enduro World Cup in Val di Fassa, Trentino. Although a crash during Friday practice affected his performance and forced an early retirement, his participation marks a breakthrough moment for Malta in the global MTB scene.
“Maltese mountain biking has established a strong presence at various international events, reflecting the steady growth the Association has worked hard to achieve,” said MMBA President Pierre Zammit Endrich. “While results have been mixed, we are nonetheless proud of our riders’ progress, which bodes well for future international results.”
Mosta dome
Being at sea level, the site is subject to flooding and though there have been attempts to drain the area for agriculture, seasonal flooding, brackish groundwater and exposure to salt-laden grigal gales, rendered it unusable. Reverted to the wild, a dense thicket of tamarisk formed, to which an olive grove was later added.
The restoration works began in 1992. A network of pools, canals and islands were created, trees were planted and the area was fenced off to reduce disturbance.
