Joe Bajada elected for an important role in the European Cycling Union

Last Sunday March 5th, during the 2017 Annual General Congress of the Union Europeenne de Cyclisme in Brussels, Joe Bajada, the Maltese Cycling Federation Secretary General was elected to an important role as he now forms part of the 15 delegates who will have the right to vote on behalf of the 50 European countries that are affiliated members at the Annual General Congress for International Cycling that will take place this coming September in Bergen, Norway.

Nominated for this election were 30 delegates from different federations and associates within the UEC. These 15 will also join 30 other delegates from four other confederations encompassing 136 countries members of ACC (Asia), COPAC (Pan America), CAC (Africa) and OCC ( Oceania).

Before the election, three delegates conceded their nomination. Joe Bajada was elected in the 9th seat, with a point total of 37 votes, only 5 votes less than first place, a remarkable achievement.

Along with Bajada, Daniela Isetti (Italy), Thierry Marechal (Belgium), Umberto Langellotti (Monaco), Alejandro Martin Gar- cia (Spain), Peter Privara (Slovakia), Slavomir Svaboda (Czech Republic), Michel Callot (Franze), Delmino Albano M. Pereira (Portugal), Romualdas Bakutis (Lituania), Victoria Lesnikova (Russia), Farhad Aliyev (Ażerbaijan), Vladimiros Petsas (Greece), Eduard Carol Novak (Romania) and Vitali Zhmako (Belarus) were elected.

During this congress the French president David Lappartient had not been contested and was therefore confirmed in his position.

Surprised with these results, Joe Bajada thanked all the European countries that showed faith in him along with 14 other delegates in representing them during the highly anticipated congress of the UCI happening this September in Norway.

John Zammit President of the Maltese Cycling Federation was also present during the same Congress in Brussels and was first to congratulate his colleague Joe Bajada. More good wishes came from many international delegates present at this event, and also from higher level officials of the UEC David Lappartinet u Enrico Della Casa, President and General Secretary respectively of the UEC.

Joe Bajada remarked that this success is not only personal, but a success for the Maltese Cycling Federation and also for Malta. He also added that this result reflects his hard work that above all was noted and appreciated on the international scene.

He dedicated this success to all his family, and also to President John Zammit who like him has just tasted success in the National Sports Awards in which John Zammit and Joe Bajada were honoured respectively with the People’s Choice Award and Best Gozitan in Sports.