Arias and Diesner put their final stamp on the 2022 Appenninica MTB Stage Race

The two overall victors also took the last stage starting and finishing in Vidiciatico, in the municipality of Lizzano in Belvedere. There were ninety-six finishers in an exciting edition experienced by athletes from 28 nations who came to discover the Apennines of Emilia-Romagna

They were the strongest racers all week and they wanted to punctuate this fact in the final stage as well. The 37-kilometer stage featured 1550 meters of climbing with start and finish from Vidiciatico in the municipality of Lizzano in Belvedere. The fourth edition of 2022 Appenninica MTB Stage Race ended on Saturday, September 10Diego Arias and Naima Diesner were the winners.

The Colombian racer from the Hubbers-Polimedical team started out as a race favorite and he proved to be the strongest each day. This was true in the seventh stage as well, which Arias finished in 1:56:13. The general classification leader wanted to make his mark from the start by forging a white-hot pace on the trails of Monte PizzoMiguel Munoz Moreno (DMT Racing Team) finished 3:57 behind the leader with Felix Fritzsch down by 5:50 from Arias.

Arias’ debut at Appenninica was crowned with five stage wins and the victory in the general classification. The Colombian racer finished all seven stages totaling almost 450 kilometers with 16,000 meters of climbing in 22:05:11. Behind him were the two DMT Racing Team riders, with Portugal’s Francisco Filipe in second at 34:42, and Spain’s Miguel Munoz Moreno in third at 1:08:05. Completing the top five spots at the 2022 Appenninica were Dutchman Gosse van der Meer (Euro Cycling) in fourth, and Federico Mandelli (Piraz Coaching MTB Academy) in fifth. Mandelli was also the first Italian in the GC.

“I came out of the 2022 Appenninica MTB Stage Race with good legs, I managed the race well during all seven stages. It was a very nice week in a fantastic area with a mixed course full of climbs. I’m happy to have had this experience and next year, I hope to come back and defend the title. Now I head to the MTB marathon world championships – I think there’s no better preparation for the rainbow challenge,” was Diego Arias’ final comment after winning.

NAIMA DIESNER TAKES THE TITLE

Having beaten the competition last year, Naima Diesner came back to prove herself in the 2022 edition. Diesner won the women’s general classification for the second consecutive year – this time leaving nothing to her rivals. Having won all seven stages like Esther Süss did in 2020, she finished her effort with a final time of 30:48:27.

Diesner also won the final stage in 2:45:42, with a margin of 12:31 over Debora Lana and 20:51 over Camilla Marinelli at the finish in Lizzano in Belvedere. The two Italians also finished second and third respectively in the general classification with more than an hour down from the German BUFF-Megamo racer. Completing the women’s top five were Elena Novikova in fourth place, and Rozanne Slik in fifth.

 

“It was a wonderful adventure again this year, I am delighted to have won. For me the Appenninica MTB Stage Race is like a family, I love the atmosphere of friendship after the hard work in the stages, it makes me feel at home. I can’t wait to come back again next year,” Naima Diesner said as she finished the week as the absolute star.

ALL CLASSIFICATIONS: MASTER, GRAND MASTER, GREAT GRAND MASTER

Not only was there a race for the men’s and women’s rankings in the GC, the Appenninica MTB Stage Race was also a week of battles in three other race categories: Master (over 40), Grand Master (over 50), and Great Grand Master (over 60).

In the Masters, the overall winner was the Russian Andrey Dianov ahead of Francesco Gaffuri and Thomas Jauner. Winning the Grand Master category was Slovenia’s Peter Vesel, while Italians Paolo Viglione and Federico Celeghini completed the podium in second and third place. There was another Slovenian victory in the Great Grand Master category, where Aleš Boben won ahead of Evžen Reitschläger and Raffaele Verzella.

96 FINISHERS AND A WORLD SPOTLIGHT FOR THE EMILIA-ROMAGNA APENNINES

With 28 nations represented at the start in Castelnovo ne’ Monti, Appenninica made a name for itself as the perfect promotional event for the Apennines of Emilia-Romagna. Participants will remember the picturesque landscapes and regional culinary delights worthy of a postcard that have become the winning formula to grow the event year after year.

“Once again this year, we’ve managed to satisfy the participants, which confirms the good work we’ve done over the past few years. The Appenninica MTB Stage Race is increasingly recognized and valued at an international level – this is also thanks to the experience as expressed by past participants. The goal is to continue along this path by offering a race that is increasingly a mix of competition and adventure – a tough and demanding challenge to be experienced immersed in the beauty of the Apennines of Emilia-Romagna,” was the final word from co-organizers of A.s.d. Happy Trail MTB, Beppe Salerno and Milena Bettocchi.

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