Arias and Diesner try to upset the GC, but the High Mountain Queen Stage is just around the corner

The Colombian strengthened his lead, but Francisco Filipe and Felix Fritzsch wouldn’t give up. Miguel Munoz Moreno lost ground due to a crash. Among the women it was a solo by Diesner, with Camilla Marinelli and Debora Lana as the German racer’s only rivals

The Bismantova Rock confirmed the verdict handed down in the first stage: Diego Arias and Naima Diesner seem to be the strongest opponents in the 2022 Appenninica MTB Stage Race. The two general classification leaders tried to stuff more time into the GC by imposing leads in the second stage with start and finish in Castelnovo ne’ Monti on Monday, September 5.

The second stage sorted and ranked the men’s field. Once again Diego Arias dominated the stage, called “The Rock,” which stretched 62 kilometers with 2350 meters of elevation gain, with a time of 3:21:25. Arias finished 4:20 ahead of the duo composed of Francisco Filipe (DMT Racing Team) and Felix Fritzsch (R2 MTN CREW), who appeared more energetic than in the opening stage.

The three lead racers along with Miguel Munoz Moreno (DMT Racing Team) set the pace from the start. Same as on Sunday, the Colombian racer from the Hubbers-Polimedical team began to build up his lead around the race’s halfway point. By the time he reached the Ventasso pass, Arias was already more than a minute ahead. Behind him only Fritzsch and Filipe remained in pursuit as they tried to control the damage, while Munoz Moreno lost ground after a crash.

Not even a skid on a slippery section interfered with Arias’s determination; he was able to easily consolidate his lead in the general classification. The Hubbers-Polimedical rider now leads with an advantage of 8:21 over Francisco Filipe and 13:33 over last year’s winner, Felix Fritzsch. The toughest part of 2022 Appenninica MTB Stage Race is yet to come, however, and so much can still happen.

 

“Today I started with the idea to defend myself rather than attack, but at a certain point, I felt that I had good legs and continued with my rhythm,” Diego Arias explained at the finish line. “I tried not to risk more than I had to, and it went well. I’m happy with how I feel and how I’m handling the race. I slipped in a wet section on a small wooden bridge, but fortunately everything was ok. Today’s course was beautiful, with beautiful scenery.”

NAIMA DIESNER CONTINUES TO LEAVE HER MARK

The gap forged by Naima Diesner (Buff-Megamo Team) in the women’s race is even more impressive. Right from the first kilometers, no rival was able to match pace with the German rider, who finished her race in Castelnovo ne’ Monti with a time of 4:44:18. Behind her, Camilla Marinelli (ASD Bike and Fun Team) tried to keep up but she paid another 26 minutes to Diesner in the general.

After an excellent performance in Stage 1, Debora Lana increased the gap between her and the race leader and was forced to surrender her place on today’s podium and in the general classification to Elena Novikova. The Ukrainian finished 30:01 down from the stage winner and is now third overall at almost an hour behind Naima Diesner. Camilla Marinelli was second at 45 minutes 54 seconds behind the leader.

“It was quite a fast stage that I rode at the front – with a lot of climbs, especially in the first part,” Naima Diesner explained. “There was a lot of beautiful scenery, and I really enjoyed the final kilometers. I’m happy to have won again but now it’s important to recover well because tomorrow is the High Mountain Queen Stage, and we know how hard that is.”

THE STAGE OF TRUTH ARRIVES: IT’S TIME FOR THE HIGH MOUNTAIN QUEEN STAGE

If the first two stages served to warm up the legs, the third stage from Castelnovo ne’ Monti to Fanano will leave nowhere to hide. 105 kilometers with 3650 meters of elevation gain are in order for the High Mountain Queen Stage, the toughest and most feared stage in the Appenninica MTB Stage Race.

Much of the route runs 1500 meters above sea level on the trails of the Alta Via dei Parchi. After a fairly easy start, the day’s first climb toward the Passo della Cisa will begin to sort the racers, while the subsequent climbs over Monte Giovarello and the Passo Radici will bring the athletes up to elevation. From there they will continue at elevation to the Pian Cavallaro and then swoop down toward the finish line in Piazza Corsini in Fanano.

Third time’s the charm: Hans Becking returns to Appenninica for the hat trick

First Elite Man to win two editions of Appenninica MTB Stage Race, the Dutch defending champion of BUFF-Megamo will go for the hat trick from September 2 to 7, 2024. “This race has won my heart,” says Becking.

The Appenninica 2024 route: kicking off in Bologna with 14,000 meters of elevation gain

The organizers have unveiled the route for the MTB stage race, scheduled from September 2 to 7. Confirmed stage venues include Lizzano in Belvedere, Fiumalbo, and Castelnovo ne’ Monti for the grand finale, with Loiano making its debut this year. Participants will face a total of 400 km and 14,000 meters of elevation gain

The Appenninici – An Olympic champion discovers Appenninica

Among the protagonists of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race are many stories of sport and life. Miguel Martinez, Mountain Biking gold medallist at Sydney 2000, participated in the 2023 edition and was impressed by the routes and landscapes of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines and the familiar atmosphere of the race

From Tour the France to the MTB: Appenninica 2024 to kick off in Bologna

The main town of Emilia-Romagna is poised to inaugurate the sixth edition of Appenninica MTB Stage Race on September 2, 2024. Bathed in the afterglow of the Tour de France’s visit in July, the MTB challenge is set to bring more cycling emotions to the city

Appenninica MTB Stage Race Adventure Returns from September 2 to 7, 2024

The renowned MTB stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines confirms its six-day format, announcing its schedule for the 2024 season. Early Bird registration commences on December 1

Becking and Piana conquer Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023

The Dutch rider of Buff-Megamo is the first male athlete to win two editions of Appenninica MTB Stage Race. Becking sealed the overall win by raising arms again in the last stage, followed by Tiago Ferreira and Tim Smeenge, who join him on the podium in second and third position respectively. Debora Piana takes the women’s GC, while Ilina triumphs again in Vidiciatico. “We are really proud of the athletes’ feedback” said the organizers

Happy day for DMT Racing Team in Vidiciatico. Becking and Piana keep the lead

Tiago Ferreira went all-in in the penultimate stage of Appenninica MTB Stage Race from Fanano to Vidiciatico, trying to pursue the leader’s jersey, but Becking kept everything under control. Same plot in the women’s category, with Russian Kristina Ilina taking her second win and Piana in control

Appenninica’s colour is Orange: Smeenge and Becking the stars of stage 4

The Dutch MTB Marathon National champion raises hands in Fanano, while Becking increases his gap in the GC on Tiago Ferreira. Debora Piana keeps dominating and makes it three in a row. Tomorrow, September 8th, the penultimate stage of Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023 runs from Fanano to Lizzano in Belvedere

Becking and Piana strenghten their lead in Fiumalbo

The two leaders got the second win at Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023. The Dutch rider of Buff-Megamo Team sprinted over Tiago Ferreira, while things are getting spicy for the bronze medal, with four riders fighting for the third position. In the women’s field, the Italian of Team Cingolani-Specialized secured the leader jersey with another success in Fiumalbo over Ilina. Tomorrow, September 7th, the peloton heads to Fanano

Ferreira and Piana tame the Mountain Queen Stage

The Portuguese athlete of DMT Racing Team answered back to Becking’s success in the opening stage, while Tronconi and Smeenge remain in contention behind them. Debora Piana took the win and the lead in the women’s category. Tomorrow, September 6th, marks the first-ever border crossing from Emilia-Romagna to Tuscany for the race, with the stage starting and finishing again in Fiumalbo

Becking and Ilina secure victory in the opening act of Appenninica 2023

The Dutch rider from Team Buff-Megamo the Russian of DMT Racing Team have made an impact on the inaugural stage of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race. Completing the men’s podium were Tiago Ferreira and Martino Tronconi, while Debora Piana and Nina Brenn claimed spots on the women’s top-3. Tomorrow, September 5th, comes the anticipated Queen Stage

Castelnovo ne’ Monti and the Bismantova Rock welcome back the Appenninica show

The program of the MTB stage race (4-9 September) was anticipated by the “Appenninica lovers” Granfondo. Starting from tomorrow, the main event will kick off with Hans Becking and Tiago Ferreira leading the title race, while Naima Diesner emerges as the top contender in the Women’s field