Malta’s current Triathlon Champion Keith Galea recently took part in the Mondello Cup Sprint Triathlon, held in Palermo Sicily. The Sprint Distance Triathlon (750m Swim, 20km Bike and a 5km Run) attracted a number of high profile triathletes which proved to be a good evaluation in where Galea currently stands especially in view of his participation at the forthcoming European Age Group Triathlon Championships.
A strong swim enabled Galea to emerge out of the 750m swim in 8th place having completed the segment in 10 minutes and 40 seconds. A fast transition saw him enter in the leading group of cyclists who worked together to catch up with the three athletes in the front. Averaging a speed of 40km/hr, Galea completed the 22km undulating route in 33 minutes.
The leaders’ advantage was going to be decided in the 5km run, which saw Galea finish the race in 6th place from a field of 172 athletes.
“I am very pleased with my swim and bike, however a better run could have resulted in a podium place, nevertheless the training build-up, which was hampered due to illness, is now taking shape and is still enabling me to give a strong performance in a highly competitive field” commented Galea after the Race.
Galea’s forthcoming commitment is the ETU Age Group Championships which will be held in Kitzbuhel, Austria. Galea’s participation in such races is possible due to SportMalta’s Flexi Training Scheme as well as funding and support from Garmin Malta, BBB Cycling Malta, Jaycee Malta, Saracino’s Café, Scott Bikes, Starbene 24/7, Team Barry Malta International Challenge Marathon, Lucida Laundry, emvigee pr & marketing, Birkirkara St Joseph Sports Club, the Malta Triathlon Federation and the Maltese Olympic Committee. Special thanks to coaches Dermot Galea and Ivan Rozhnov.
