Appenninica MTB Stage Race is set for a five-star edition

On July 20, 2019, the Appenninica MTB Stage Race adventure officially started from Bologna with a 12-kilometre time trial up to the summit of San Luca to mark the debut of this new mountain bike stage race on both the Italian and international mtb marathon scene.

Five years later, the Appenninica MTB Stage Race is now a solid organization that’s able to attract athletes from around the world. This unique promotional driver for the Emilia-Romagna Apennines highlights the landscapes and places still unexplored by the general public to paint a picture of the unparalleled outdoor offerings this area has for summertime visitors.

Five years later, on Thursday, July 20 — again in Bologna — the Appenninica MTB Stage Race unveiled plans and details at the ExtraBo headquarters in Piazza del Nettuno for the 2023 edition, September 4-9. The new six-stage format promises fun and entertainment for competitors ready to challenge themselves and their rivals, from Castelnovo ne’ Monti to Lizzano in Belvedere.

Doing the honours at the Appenninica MTB Stage Race presentation was Bologna City Councillor for Sport, Roberta Li Calzi, Emilia-Romagna Head of the Political Secretariat of the Presidency, Giammaria Manghi, and President of the Bologna Metropolitan City Tourist Destination, Mattia Santori. In addition, one of the organizers, Milena Bettocchi, and the president of off-road riding for the Italian Cycling Federation, Massimo Ghirotto, also shared their thoughts

A POSTCARD OF THE APENNINES

When the organizers of A.S.D. Happy Trail MTB conceived the Appenninica MTB Stage Race in 2019, the ambition was to create a small “Cape Epic”, but with a strong Italian flare: a demanding and challenging stage race that would showcase the beauty of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines while communicating the sense of welcoming and hospitality that these regions are known for worldwide. During the past five years, athletes from five continents — from Australia to Israel via South Africa, Argentina, and the United States — have participated in the stage race.

All of them got a taste of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines by riding technical and challenging trails that are nothing less than those of the Alps, but are far less known to the public. Evidence of the excellent tourist impact generated by the Appenninica MTB Stage Race in recent years comes in the form of stories of athletes who have extended their holidays in the area following the event, or who have embarked on business partnerships with local farms.

The Appenninica MTB Stage Race sold out of its 150 participant entries in five editions, with 28 nations represented in the 2022 edition. Many athletes have been at the start several times, thus demonstrating their love for the routes, landscapes and family atmosphere provided by the Appenninica MTB Stage Race caravan.

Over the years, thanks to the partnership between the organizers and #InEmiliaRomagna, the brand belonging to the Emilia-Romagna Tourism Board, the stage race has been able to showcase the beating heart of the Apennines. This has enabled area leaders to promote sport tourism, both local and on a grander scale, in key locations around the area. This is part of a long-term project aiming to create a true regional brand for the Apennines.

THE ROUTE

The race route travels from Castelnovo ne’ Monti to Lizzano in Belvedere, through the intriguing Fiumalbo and the historic Appenninica MTB Stage Race venue, Fanano. The 2023 race route covers about 400 kilometres and more than 14,000 meters of total elevation gain throughout the Emilia-Romagna Apennines.

Beginning with the 2023 edition, the six-stage format will make its debut and take the place of the previous seven-stage format. Organizers decided on this change in order to ease logistics for the athletes, while maintaining the same level of difficulty that’s elevated the Appenninica MTB Stage Race to international status throughout the past five years.

Stage 1 – La Matildica – 57 km with 1850 m of elevation gain

Monday, September 4: Castelnovo ne’ Monti – Castelnovo ne’ Monti

Stage 2 – Mountain Queen – 89 km with 3250 m of elevation gain

Tuesday, September 5: Castelnovo ne’ Monti – Fiumalbo

Stage 3 – Tuscany “Incipit” – 79 km with 2550 m of elevation gain

Wednesday, September 6: Fiumalbo – Fiumalbo

Stage 4 – Cimone Challenge – 62 km with 2350 m of elevation gain

Thursday, September 7: Fiumalbo – Fanano

Stage 5 – Appenninica Distilled – 61 km with 2500 m of elevation gain

Friday, September 8: Fanano – Vidiciatico

Stage 6 – Monte Pizzo – 36 km with 1500 m of elevation gain

Saturday, September 9: Vidiciatico – Vidiciatico

FOUR-WAY CHALLENGE

Between September 4 and 9, it will be a four-way challenge on the trails of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines. Starting in this 2023 edition will be all the male winners from the first four editions who will be ready to do battle and deliver an encore performance, which is something that hasn’t happened yet.

Among them, the front-runner is Colombian racer, Diego Arias, winner of the last edition, who’s returning to Appenninica to notch a second victory. He’ll have to face Dutch rider, Hans Becking, who’s eager to leave his second mark after success in 2020. Joining them in battle are the winners of the two remaining editions: German racer, Felix Fritzsch, who was king in 2021, and Austrian rider, Lukas Kaufmann, winner of the first edition in 2019.

Behind these four, the Italian racers, Martino Tronconi and Nicola Taffarel, will also play their hand for the win. Frenchman Miguel Martinez, gold medallist at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and winner of the 2022 Cape Epic in the masters’ category along with Mirko Pirazzoli, seems to be the first outsider.

The big favourite among the women is German racer, Naima Diesner, winner in both 2022 and 2021. Diesner is aiming for a hattrick for her third edition. Outsiders who could spoil Diesner’s plans include Australian rider, Imogen Smith, and Dutch racer, Anouk Van den Bielerd.

THE JERSEYS

As in previous editions, Natali Sports Wear will be the technical sponsor of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race leader jerseys. The blue jersey represents the leader in the men’s general classification, while the pink jersey will be worn by the leader in the women’s GC. Three more jerseys will be awarded in the race: Master (green), Grand Master (orange) and Great Grand Master (lilac).

THE APPENNINICA FAMILY

 

During the past five years, the Appenninica MTB Stage Race family has grown not only with the many athletes who have joined the race, but also thanks to the partners who have supported the event. Sustaining sponsors include carbon fibre wheel manufacturer, 9th Wave CyclingNatali Sports Wear and Barbieri PNK.

Long term partners of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race are Barilla and the bike care brand, Squirt CyclingEnervit, the leading Italian brand for sports nutrition, and Lavor, the leading manufacturer of high-pressure cleaning machines, have recently joined the family.

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Becking and Brenn win Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2024

The sixth and final stage around Castelnovo ne’ Monti saw Dutch and Swiss riders cement their leadership, while Italian Luca Cacchi clinched the stage victory. “We love the idea that many riders see Appenninica as an adventure, and they come back year after year.”

Becking and Brenn edge closer to Appenninica glory in Mountain Queen Stage

The Dutch and Swiss riders confirmed their leadership in the General Classifications of Appenninica MTB Stage Race. Tomorrow, September 7th, the final stage features a loop around Castelnovo ne’ Monti

Weinberg storms to victory in Fiumalbo as Becking and Brenn hold firm

In a stunning upset, the youngest participant in the sixth edition of Appenninica MTB Stage Race clinches victory in stage 4, outsprinting Cacchi and Becking in the final kilometer. Brenn continues her domination in the women's field. Becking and Brenn maintain their...

Italy’s Mandelli breaks Becking’s streak in Fiumalbo. Brenn makes it three in a row

In the third stage, 59 km and 2,600 m of elevation gain from Lizzano in Belvedere to Fiumalbo, the Italian rider outsprinted the leader, Hans Becking. In the women’s category Nina Brenn takes another win, while Bakker is back on the podium. Tomorrow, September 5, the stage will loop around Fiumalbo

New stage, same winners: Becking-Brenn repeat in Vidiciatico

The two overall leaders also won the second stage of Appenninica MTB Stage Race (Loiano-Lizzano in Belvedere), covering 73 km and 2,550 meters of elevation gain. Tomorrow, the race heads to high altitude between Corno alle Scale and Monte Cimone, finishing in Fiumalbo

Steep from the start: Appenninica tests riders on Tour de France footsteps

ans Becking and Nina Brenn celebrate in the 43 km and 1550 m elevation gain opening stage from Bologna to Loiano. On Tuesday, September 3rd, the peloton will face the first peaks of the Apennines in the Corno alle Scale area while heading towards Lizzano in Belvedere

Bologna vibes for Appenninica MTB Stage Race

The 2024 edition was unveiled in the heart of Bologna, with the race office opening in the iconic Sala Borsa on Piazza del Nettuno. From Monday, September 2nd, Appenninica MTB Stage Race will kick off with the first of six stages on the San Luca climb, the same one tackled just two months ago by the Tour de France

From Bologna to the Apennines: the journey of Appenninica MTB Stage Race is about to begin

The MTB stage race in the Apennines of Emilia-Romagna returns from September 2-7, 2024, with its sixth edition. After departing from Bologna, athletes will pass through Loiano, Lizzano in Belvedere, Fiumalbo and Castelnovo ne’ Monti, covering 400 km and 13,000 meters of elevation gain. Hans Becking hunts for a third success in the men’s field, while an unpredictable race unfolds in the women’s category

From Iberia to Italy: Xinxó and Carpinteiro set to tackle Appenninica MTB Stage Race

Experienced marathon riders embark on their first attempt at the challenging 400 km Italian mountain bike event

Appenninica MTB Stage Race: forging a winning alliance between sport and territory

The Italian stage race is set to kick off its 2024 edition (September 2-7) with a growing panel of solid partners, including private companies—many rooted in Emilia-Romagna—and institutional entities

Bart Classens eyes the crown at Appenninica

After a 4th place finish in 2023 and a silver medal in 2021—highlighted by a thrilling Queen Stage victory in stormy conditions – the Dutchman returns for the third time to the Appenninica MTB Stage Race with unfinished business. “The Apennines are the perfect backdrop for a tough race with unforgettable scenery. My goal? A strong showing in the General Classification.”

Final verdict in Castelnovo ne’ Monti for 2024 Appenninica MTB Stage Race

The final two stages of the 2024 Appenninica MTB Stage Race (September 2-7) will unfold beneath the towering Bismantova Rock, determining the champions of this year’s edition. The penultimate stage, dubbed the Mountain Queen Stage, has the potential to dramatically shake up the overall standings, while the concluding stage will take competitors on a loop around Castelnovo ne’ Monti