Team Polti VisitMalta signs second Maltese rider as sports tourism push gains pace
Andrea Mifsud joins Aidan Buttigieg on the 2026 roster, as the MTA deepens its brand investment in professional cycling to drive year-round tourism.
The Malta Tourism Authority has added a second Maltese athlete to the Team Polti VisitMalta cycling roster for 2026, signalling a deepening of its brand investment in professional sport as a driver of year-round tourism.
Andrea Mifsud joins national champion Aidan Buttigieg on the team, which is currently holding its training camp in Malta. The announcement came as the MTA reinforced its commitment to sports tourism, described by the authority as one of its most dynamic and fast-growing sectors.
Mifsud’s path to the professional peloton is unusual. He started in football and switched to cycling after a serious injury. He went on to ride for the French Continental team Nice Métropole Côte d'Azur and obtained Maltese citizenship last year, connecting him to the islands of his grandparents.
Earlier this month, he represented Malta at the European Championships in France.
Fran Contador, General Manager of Team Polti VisitMalta, said the addition of a second Maltese rider reflects the team’s concrete commitment to developing cycling in the country. He described the partnership as one the team will continue to strengthen in pursuit of mutual growth.
Ivan Basso, Team Principal, said the team will need riders who can both support the squad and seize opportunities in the coming season. He believes Mifsud has valuable qualities to combine teamwork with strong performances.
The MTA CEO framed the signing as more than a sporting achievement. It is, she said, a testament to Malta’s growing presence in global sports and the potential of its athletes, adding that the authority’s ambition knows no bounds.
For Malta’s business community, the calculation is clear. The MTA is using brand partnerships to attract professional training camps, international events, and athlete development programmes to the island. Each rider wearing the VisitMalta jersey carries the destination into races across Europe, generating visibility that traditional advertising cannot match.
Mifsud described the signing as a reward for his dedication and career progress. He said he feels a responsibility to set an example through his performances and is confident he will keep improving quickly working with the team’s staff and teammates.