Two young Maltese cyclists are living an opportunity of a lifetime this week after they have been included in a training camp with professional cycling team Eolo-Kometa.
Luke Borg and Jacob Schembri are currently in Spain where they are currently training with riders from the Eolo-Kometa team in Oliva with a view to earning a spot in the team’s youth development selection. The training camp started on Monday and will come to a close on Sunday.
This is without doubt a great opportunity for the two young Maltese cyclists who are having the opportunity to train with top-level cyclists in Spain who are gearing up themselves for the start of the season.
Borg and Schembri have been invited for this training on the back of a sponsorship agreement signed by the Ministry of Tourism and the professional cycling team that has seen VisitMalta become its official destination partner.
Added to that VisitMalta branding will also be present on all race kits and team vehicles during one of the most high-profile sporting events of the cycling world, the Giro D’Italia in 2023.
Valerio Agnoli, who has been working hard to try and earmark young Maltese talent who can make the grade towards a professional career in cycling, said that this is a great opportunity for both Borg and Schembri.
“I have great belief that Malta has the potential of producing good level cyclists that can establish themselves in the professional tour,” Agnoli told the Times of Malta.
“My main aim behind the agreement between Eolo-Kometa and the Ministry of Tourism has always been to go beyond the marketing sector as I felt it was an opportunity to give talented young Maltese cyclists the chance to show that they can have a career in cycling.
“Luke Borg has already been training with the team in Italy and from the tests carried out he showed that he has the potential to make the grade with the team if he continues to follow the team’s regime.
“On the other hand, Jacob Schembri had missed the first camp in Italy but he is another great prospect that Eolo-Kometa team is keen to follow his progress.
“Now it’s up to both Schembri and Borg to show that they deserve to be given the chance but I am very hopeful that they can succeed.
“It’s a gradual process but no doubt should they do well in this camp they may well be given a spot in the Eolo-Kometa development team with a view of competing in several international races during 2023.”
