After its debut last year, the town in the province of Bologna will host the conclusion of the 2022 edition on Friday 9th and Saturday 10th September. Appenninica MTB Stage Race returns to the Corno alle Scale area, where Alberto Tomba built his greatest successes

People always return where they have had a good time. This is true in life as it is for the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, which will conclude its 2022 edition (4-10 September) in Lizzano in Belvedere. After making its debut in last year’s edition, the mountain resort in the Province of Bologna returns as the venue for the stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines. 

A great comeback for the town whose name is linked to the Corno alle Scale ski area, where Alberto Tomba used to train. On Friday 9th and Saturday 10th September, Lizzano in Belvedere will decide the 2022 edition of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race with the last two stage finishes that will define the overall classification.

The athletes will arrive in Lizzano on Friday 9 September, after the start from Porretta Terme, having faced a route of 63 km and 2700 meters of total elevation gain. The stage “Il Corno” will see an initial part of the route on forest paths immersed in the woods, without human settlements, before Km 37 when the athletes face the demanding climb towards the Passo dello Strofinatoio, with the last 500 meters of portage. From there, we will tackle the ridge towards Scaffaiolo Lake before the final slope through trails and single tracks towards the finish.

The seventh and final stage “Monte Pizzo” measures 37 kilometers with 1550 meters of elevation gain. Scheduled on Saturday 10 September, this stage may appear to be the classic final parade, but pitfalls are just around the corner. Starting and finishing from Piazza XXVII Settembre in Vidiciatico, much of the route is set in the natural bike park in a loop that will take the athletes through the “Cuplina” trail twice and the “Albaré” trail once. The grand finale will then take place at the Conca del Sole swimming pool in Vidiciatico.

“Our town strongly believes in the Appenninica MTB Stage Race project, and we are happy to host a stage here again this year. This commitment was also shared with the Metropolitan City of Bologna, whose support for the initiative was key. Our local stakeholders are ready to host athletes and staff to promote the beauty of Corno alle Scale”, said Sergio Polmonari, Mayor of Lizzano in Belvedere. 

LIZZANO IN BELVEDERE, BETWEEN NATURE, HISTORY, AND SPORTS

The name of Lizzano in Belvedere recalls the Corno alle Scale Natural Park, which from its highest point, at an altitude of 1945 meters asl, offers a stunning view toward North and the Alps, East and West and the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas. In the area, the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell’Acero, which with its monumental trees and nature’s silence, is the ideal place for meditation.

Lizzano in Belvedere was also home to the well-known Italian journalist Enzo Biagi, one of Rai’s most famous characters with his “Il Fatto” program. Italian ski legend Alberto Tomba also used to train in the Corno alle Scale area, where he built his greatest successes: a winning alchemy with this magical territory.

At the end of the 2022 edition (4-10 September), Appenninica will induct the participants who were able to complete the stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines for three times as members of the Appenninica Family. An exclusive club that five athletes could join already this year

The Appeninica MTB Stage Race is a challenge to yourself. Those who have already made this experience know how demanding the route of 450 km and 16,000 metres of total elevation gain is, and how much willpower is needed to reach the finish line. Completing Appenninica is an achievement: doing it several times is a real highlander’s feat.

For this reason, the MTB stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines wishes to celebrate those riders who are able to wear the finisher’s medal for three times.

At the end of the 2022 edition, scheduled from 4 to 10 September 2022, the Appenninica “Hall of Family” will be inaugurated. The exclusive club will be reserved to those who have completed the hat-trick, defeating their limits and confirming their love and passion for Appenninica and its places year after year. Members of the Hall of Family will receive unique benefits and opportunities to feel increasingly part of what has become a true family over the years, as well as a place in the history and heart of Appenninica.

“We thought of creating this club to honor those who have decided to put their trust in us and participate in the Appenninica MTB Stage Race for several years. At the end of the 2022 edition, a special medal will be awarded to those who have completed the feat for the third time. We hope to see this community of enthusiasts grow over the years, creating a little hall of fame for our Appenninica Family,” said Beppe Salerno and Milena Bettocchi, co-organizers of Appenninica MTB Stage Race. 

Among the participants at the start in Castelnovo ne’ Monti on 4 September, no less than five athletes could reach the prestigious milestone. These include Peter Wouters, owner of 9th Wave Cycling, a sponsor of Appenninica since the first edition, who completed the race in 2019 and 2020, like Poland’s Zbig Mossoczy. Swiss Thomas Jauner will try to earn the triple crown after the 2019 and 2021 editions, the same challenge as Stefan Kiene and Anton Tieleman, both 2020 and 2021 finishers.

In addition to the stage finishes and the final classification, there will be an extra motivation for them: to make Appenninica MTB Stage Race history.

The two winners of the 2021 Appenninica MTB Stage Race are ready to take the start again in 2022 (4-10 September) to defend their titles. “Appenninica is a special race, and the Italian welcoming makes all the difference,” said the Germans

Giving it all and leaving nothing behind. With this spirit, Felix Fritzsch and Naima Diesner are preparing to defend the titles they earned on the finish line of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race just under a year ago. The two German riders will be back to the start in Castelnovo ne’ Monti for the 2022 edition (4-10 September), aware that the competition might be even fiercer this time.

For Fritzsch and Diesner, the overall victory in 2021 came in different fashions, but still tasted sweet. In the men’s category, the R2 MTN CREW rider took the title by emerging over the field of the pre-race favorites, proving to be the most consistent athlete throughout the week. In the women’s field, Diesner – now a Buff-Megamo Team rider – dominated the competition, winning four of the seven available stages and distancing the runner-up, Virginia Cancellieri, by nearly an hour.

“Last year, I competed without too many expectations, and I surprised even myself by winning the final classification so I will adopt the same strategy this year. My goal is to give everything and get the best possible result at the end of the seven stages”, said Felix Fritzsch.

On the other hand, Diesner shows more confidence on the heels of last year’s eloquent performance:

“Confirming that achievement will be difficult, but I will do everything to place myself in the top positions again and try to defend the title”.

The pool of contenders promises to be even richer and fiercer in both categories, leading to a more uncertain and spectacular race until the finish line in Lizzano in Belvedere.

“I know it will be very difficult to beat Diego Arias, but anything can happen in such a demanding race with several stages. After a complicated start of the season due to various physical problems, I am also regaining my best shape ahead of the start: I will give everything day by day“, explained Fritzsch.

“Compared to last year, there will be an Olympic athlete like Maaike Polspoel, which raises the level of an already demanding race and makes it even more fascinating. So far, I have had an exciting season, and I hope to continue like this at Appenninica as well”, commented Naima Diesner.

If the build-up for Appenninica MTB Stage Race was different for the two German riders, they once again agreed on the beauty of the race along the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, from Castelnovo ne’ Monti to Lizzano in Belvedere, passing through Fanano and Porretta Terme.

“Appenninica is a very well organised race, with a special atmosphere outside the competitive moments. An event that I would definitely recommend to those looking for an exciting race that combines adventure and a breath-taking scenery“, resumed Fritzsch.

“Last year was a magical race for me, thanks to the excellent Italian hospitality and the atmosphere created by the staff. I enjoyed it so much that not only did I want to be back, but also convinced two friends to join me, from Australia and Costa Rica”, echoed Diesner.

The closing line is about the chances of a repeat for the two Germans.

“Sharing the podium with a friend like Felix last year was special. Together we talked about returning to Appenninica, and I think it will be great to see us competing for the top positions again”, admitted Diesner.

“It will be very tough, but one thing is certain: whoever wins will have deserved the title, 100%”, concluded the King of Appenninica 2021.