Josef Bonavia, Danica Bonello Spiteri worthy winners of the 2020 National Sprint Triathlon Championships

Duo also take home 2020 Go & Fun BSJ Sprint Triathlon Series crown

Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club hosted the final race of the 4-part Go & Fun BSJ Sprint Triathlon Series in Salina on Sunday. The triathlon, which consisted of a 750m swim, a 20km cycle and a 5km run took place in hot conditions as the race brought the curtain down on the Club’s summer of sport. The Race was also designated, by the Malta Triathlon Federation, as the National Sprint Triathlon Championships.

Josef Bonavia registered his first championship title in a race which was bravely fought from start to finish. Bonavia, who registered a third place in the first race but subsequently won all the other races was not going to have it easy with the likes of Shaun Galea, Bernard Sant and Joseph Galea hot on each others heels.

First out of the water was Bernard Sant, followed by Shaun Galea. The duo had just one second separating them as they entered the bike transition. Bonavia was the eighth triathlete to exit the water with a gap of 1 minute 47 seconds to deal with as the other contenders were already out on the bike course. Putting faith in his cycling abilities – Bonavia, having consistently registered the fastest bike split of the Series, battled on despite having both Shaun Galea and Joseph Galea ahead of him.

A push in the last few metres of the bike segment saw Bonavia edging himself ahead of Shaun Galea. Leading the way out of the bike to run transition was Joseph Galea. Bonavia knowing that a possible victory lay ahead overtook him to take the lead. Yet the race was not over. Shaun Galea went into the final segment of the run with a strong fighting spirit yet was no match for Bonavia who raced towards his first National Championship title.

Bonavia finished the race in 1 hour 1 minute 53 seconds –his best time for this year’s Series. Galea finished in second place fifty one seconds behind him. With Bonavia and Galea ready from racing, a thrilling battle was ensuing for third place. Bernard Sant and Joseph Galea were racing neck to neck for most of the 5km route.

The last two hundred metres were to decide their fate, with Galea outsprinting Sant and pipping him to third place by a mere three seconds.

As was expected Danica Bonello Spiteri emerged the overall female winner of the Series and crowned National Sprint Triathlon Champion.

For Bonello Spiteri, this race was a return to the winners’ podium, adding another title to the extensive list of national titles earned throughout her triathlon career.

Bonello Spiterifinished the race in 1 hour 9 minutes and 40 second, leading the way throughout. In second place was Pia Zammit. Zammit registered her best time of the Series, shaving off one minute and 32 seconds from the previous race.

In third place was Lindsey Pirotta. Pirotta, exited the water with a 44 second advantage over Lindsay Zammit. The latter narrowed the gap with a faster transition and bike segment. Zammit managed to overtake Pirotta in this segment.

A faster run from Pirotta saw her edge her way past Zammit to claim her first podium place.

“Every year brings its challenges, however this year was particularly difficult in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. We are grateful that we were able to complete our summer of sport programme thanks to the co-operation of all involved stakeholders who ensured a safe racing environment” enthused Euchar Camilleri, Secretary General, Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club. “2020 still remains a memorable year as the Club celebrates 45 years of sport. We now take a short break before starting our preparations for the 2021 season.”

Birkirkara St. Joseph is grateful towards Go & Fun Energy Drink Malta for supporting the Series for another year as well as the Naxxar Local Council, Transport Malta, Emergency Services,

Malta Bike Marshalls and all the race officials and volunteers for their invaluable help.

Go&Fun BSJ Sprint Triathlon Series (Race 4) & National Championship Results

Males

1st - Josef Bonavia (1:01:53) 2nd - Shaun Galea (1:02:36) 3rd - Joseph Galea (1:02:44) Females

1st - Danica Bonello Spiteri (1:09:40)

2nd - Pia Zammit (1:17:04)

3rd - Lindsey Pirotta (1:18:31)

Go&Fun BSJ Sprint Triathlon Series - Overall Results

Results based on athletes who completed all four races of the Series

Males

1st - Josef Bonavia

2nd - Joseph Galea

3rd - Neil Markham Females

1st - Danica Bonello Spiteri 2nd - Pia Zammit

3rd - Clara Attard Formosa

Age Group Winners

Go & Fun BSJ Sprint Tri Series National Championships

Age Group

Under 23 - Sean Michael Darmanin, Deborah Desira, Malcolm Vassallo, Deborah Desira

Seniors 40 – 49- Kristjan Briffa, Charmaine Sciberras, Steve Chetcuti, Charmaine Sciberras

Seniors 50 – 59- Kevin Muscat, Suzanne Farrugia

Seniors 60+

Richard Camilleri, Marian Belsten, Nicky Farrugia, Marian Belsten.