104 Km and 3600 mt. D+: Appenninica’s Queen Stage is the ultimate test of truth

by | Jun 21, 2022 | Highlights, Press Releases, Press Releases (2022)

In the fourth edition of Appenninica (4-10 September 2022), the 104 Km and 3600 metres of elevation gain of the High Mountain Queen Stage’ from Castelnovo ne’ Monti to Fanano might be the turning point of the race on day 3, Tuesday, September 6th

With its 440 km and 16,000 metres of elevation gain spread over seven days (September 4th-10th, 2022), up and down the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, Appenninica MTB Stage Race poses plenty of challenges on the way of its participants. However, those who have already taken part in the spectacular Italian MTB stage race and those who dream of doing it soon know that there is always a day to be circled in red: the High Mountain Queen Stage.

The stage race scheduled in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines will reverse course this year, starting from Castelnovo ne’ Monti and ending in Lizzano in Belvedere, but the format will remain unchanged, with its unique mix of tough and exciting challenges, trails in the wilderness, and incomparable scenery. This year, the most challenging test will come on the third day, Tuesday, September 6th, 2022, when the Queen Stage of the 2022 edition is scheduled, starting from Castelnovo ne’ Monti (Reggio Emilia) and arriving in Fanano (Modena).

Compared to the past, the athletes will be fresher to tackle the 104 km and 3600 metres of elevation gain, but there will certainly be no shortage of thrills, starting with the spectacular views of a route almost entirely above 1,500 metres in altitude. A large part of the route follows the Alta via dei Parchi along ancient military mule tracks and trade routes such as the ancient via Vandelli, which connected Modena to Massa Carrara from the 18th century onwards.

At the start, there will be time for a final salute to the Bismantova Rock before crossing the Secchia river and beginning the first long ascent of the day (20 km and 1000 metres of elevation gain). A forest road will lead to the Cisa Pass and the “Alta Tensione” trail, eventually reaching the Monte Cusna area.

From Febbio, a new climb on forest roads will take the bikers to the summit of the Monte Giovarello (1760 m a.s.l.), from where, with favourable weather conditions, the entire Po Valley and beyond to the Tuscan coast can be seen. After reaching the Passo Radici, the route will go down in altitude, alternating forest roads and short single tracks up to the village of Pievepelago. Here the athletes will be able to catch their breath on the 10 km of asphalt road that will lead to Fiumalbo, where the climbing will start again.

A 10 km forest road and 1000 metres of altitude difference will take the athletes to Pian Cavallaro (1850 m a.s.l.) at the foot of Monte Cimone. There will only be 15 km left to the finish in Fanano, to be raced on pleasant forestry descents and short single-track sections. The first competitors will reach Piazza Corsini after 5 hours and 30 minutes: on such a day there’s nowhere to hide, and the general classification could be significantly reshaped.

“It is a Queen Stage in pure Appenninica style. The bikers will face ‘wild’ trails and unspoilt landscapes, on a selective – but also flowy – route that will cross some of the best-known areas of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, such as Monte Cusna and Monte Cimone”, explained Beppe Salerno and Milena Bettocchi, the co-organizers of Appenninica MTB Stage Race.

Bike and tech: 5 insider tips for taking up Appenninica

by | Jun 14, 2022 | Highlights

Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2022 partner for mechanical assistance, Sport Bike Alicante points out five aspects not to be overlooked before tackling the demanding MTB stage race on the Emilia-Romagna Apennines.

 

Even if you have never taken part in an MTB stage race, and maybe you are preparing for your first time at Appenninica MTB Stage Race, you know already that preparation for such an event starts from afar. And no, we’re not just talking about physical conditioning.

If you think a challenge like the Appenninica is stressful for your body (and you might be right), have you ever wondered how stressful it can be for your bike? Spoiler: indeed, no less…

From 4 to 10 September 2022, on the trails of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, the mechanical assistance will be provided by Sport Bike Alicante, a new partner of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race. Whatever the bike’s annoyance or technical problem, the mechanics’ team will be ready to tackle and solve it.

Before reaching Castelnovo ne’ Monti for the start, it is a good idea to go through these five technical and mechanical tips to be ready to tackle the week-long Appenninica MTB Stage Race:

  1. Brake pads must be 100% new. Change them before setting off and ensure the brake fluid level and pressure are correct.
  2.  Tyres must be new. Choose the best size according to your preference and driving style, but make sure that they are brand new and not already worn at the start.
  3. Keep in mind that you are riding on the Apennines, and the elevation profile of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race is very demanding. Obvious? Maybe so, but it’s good to recall this when making your technical choices….
  4. Always keep an essential tool kit at hand. Inside it: chain stripper, multi-tool, spare inner tube, spare dropout or derailleur, Co2 pump with adapter, thermal blanket, lube oil or wax, cable ties and small pliers. A week up and down the Apennines is long and full of unforeseen events: you better be prepared.
  5. If your bike is equipped with an electric derailleur, take along an auxiliary battery for the derailleur and a battery for the control unit. Weather variations are always possible; changes in cold and heat can drain batteries faster and create trouble.

The Appenninici: Mark, Pippo and a lifetime in mountain bike

by | May 27, 2022 | Highlights

“Number 138, Mark Anolik, crosses the finish line in Fanano”. After hearing this sentence from the Appenninica MTB Stage Race speaker, Pierpaolo “Pippo” Marani’s eyes sparkled. Based in Fanano (Modena), the famous trail builder remembers that name well from the 1991 Mountain Bike World Championships in Il Ciocco, when Marani finished 35th in the Downhill Elite event, while his friend and rival from the USA finished just behind him, in 36th place.

The fate wanted that the two would meet again in a village in the Modena Apennines, exactly 30 years later, in 2021. In this case, destiny has a name: Appenninica MTB Stage Race.

“I knew that Pippo was involved with Appenninica and that we could have an opportunity to meet again after many years. I am pleased it happened, also because it helped me to get back in touch with Giovanna Bonazzi, whom I have known for many years and worked with when she raced for the team I managed in 1997, Sintesi – Verlicchi”, said Mark Anolik.

The meeting between Mark Anolik and Pippo Marani was an opportunity to relive the atmosphere of those pioneering mountain biking days in the early 90s, of which both were protagonists. The adventurous spirit of the 90s is very similar to Appenninica’s spirit itself, the one that charmed so many participants on the Emilia-Romagna Apennines.

“The format of the race and the route caught my eye, because I lived in Prato when I competed for Diamond Back/Moustique, and I knew the Apennines. I recommend Appenninica to anyone who loves real, hard core mountain biking. There are all the ingredients, from one of the most beautiful areas to great food, friendly people and excellent organisation. A perfect mix that makes Appenninica one of the best events I have participated in almost 40 years of mountain biking”, Mark Anolik told.

And after a 40-year career, Mark Anolik still feels like riding. The American will also be at the start of the 2022 edition (4-10 September), because his strive for competition and desire to improve has remained the same.

“The experience of many years of racing helps you face the tough days, but I like the challenge of competing and I feel it makes me a better athlete” – ended Mark Anolik.

Appenninica 2022 reverses course: start is in Castelnovo with finish in Lizzano

by | Mar 30, 2022 | Highlights, Press Releases, Press Releases (2022)

The 2022 edition (September 4-10) of the mountain bike stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines will turn the route on its head by swapping the start with the finish (and vice versa) compared to recent years. Castelnovo ne’ Monti will kick off the 450-km, 16,000-meter elevation effort, while Lizzano in Belvedere will stage the grand finale. Fanano and Porretta Terme have also been confirmed as stage cities

 

The Appenninica MTB Stage Race does an about-face in order to offer participants a new route. The event, scheduled from September 4-10, 2022, will start from Castelnovo ne’ Monti (Reggio Emilia) and end in Lizzano in Belvedere (Bologna). This change is a calculated move by the Happy Trail MTB organizers aimed at bringing new perspectives and routes to the athletes while leaving the race’s successful mix of scenic routes and breath-taking scenery untouched, all while striking a proper balance between technical and fun features.

The route for the 2022 edition will wind along the paths of the Alta Via dei Parchi, amid the inviting landscapes of the Apennine ridge. The area’s natural beauty is a great source of pride for local tourism in the Emilia-Romagna region and is a highlight of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race. Compared to past editions, competitors will also face routes full of history and WWII settings, like the Lunigiana military road and part of the infamous Gothic Line.

Along the Appenninica MTB Stage Race’s 450 km and 16,000 meters of elevation, participants will take on yet unseen mountains while passing through both the main winter and summer outdoor sports areas of Emilia-Romagna: Ventasso, Monte Cusna, Monte Cimone, Corno alle Scale and Monte Pizzo. Even though the route is new, the stage locations remain unchanged. In addition to the above-mentioned Castelnovo ne’ Monti and Lizzano in Belvedere, Fanano (Modena) and Porretta Terme (Bologna) have remained in the Appenninica family.

credits: The Outdoor Lab

SEVEN STAGES TO ENJOY

The start is set for Sunday, September 4, 2022, from Castelnovo ne’ Monti with a circuit around the iconic Pietra di Bismantova in Matilde di Canossa’s scenic lands. The opening “La Matildica” stage has been named after her and spans 50 km with a little more than 1,750 meters of climbing.

Another circuit around Castelnovo ne’ Monti and the Bismantova Rock will be proposed for the second stage on Monday, September 5. 62 km and 2,200 metres of elevation gain on the menu, climbing almost to the summit of Monte Ventasso, with a view on the scenic Lake Calamone.

On Tuesday, September 6, the “High Mountain Queen Stage” from Castelnovo ne’ Monti to Fanano will be the first real test for the competitors. If the first two stages are meant to warm up the legs, the third stage (103 km with 3,600 meters of elevation gain) on the Apennines ridge between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany will be a real watershed for individual ambitions within the general classification.

The following day, Wednesday, September 7, Appenninica will once again traverse the trails of the famous trail builder, Pippo Marani. The “Pippo Yeah 2.0” starts and finishes in Fanano in a renewed version of one of the most loved stages from past editions: 56 km with 2,250 meters of elevation gain.

Stage five from Fanano to Porretta Terme, scheduled for Thursday, September 8, will take place on the so-far untouched paths of the Gothic Line, the famous battleground of the Second World War. The “Gothic Line” will offer a smooth and fun route through 71 km with 2,500 meters of elevation gain.

On Friday, September 9, riders will head from Porretta Terme to Lizzano in Belvedere on a 60 km route with 2,700 meters of elevation gain. During the “Il Corno” stage, athletes will cross some unforgettable spots from previous editions, like the beautiful summit of Corno alle Scale – the mountain of Bologna – and the stunning Scaffaiolo Lake

The final stage set for Saturday, September 10, will roll out the red carpet on the beautiful slopes of the Monte Pizzo bike park around Lizzano in Belvedere. It is a fast and spectacular 37-km route with 1,750 meters of elevation gain, which will determine the winner of the 2022 Appenninica MTB Stage Race.

“Compared to last year’s edition, we decided to go against the tide and design a route in the reverse direction while still being able to enhance the most endearing elements of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race. As usual, the breath-taking scenery of the Apennines ridge is combined with wooded passes in a mix of smooth climbs and technical, fun descents. In addition, we have worked hard to better balance each stage’s length with its elevation gain. We are sure it will be a spectacular edition,” said the Appenninica MTB Stage Race organizers, Beppe Salerno and Milena Bettocchi.

credits: The Outdoor Lab

HOW TO REGISTER

Registration for the 2022 edition is open on the official website: www.appenninica-mtb.com.

Same as in 2021, the organizing committee is allowing individual participation only. After the Early Bird phase sold out, and almost 100 registrations already confirmed out of the 150 maximum, riders can sign up for the Appenninica MTB Stage Race with the “Regular Registration” fee until May 31, 2022. Furthermore, a three-installment payment plan is also available.

For more information: https://www.appenninica-mtb.com/en/register. 

THE ROUTE

Stage 1 – La Matildica – 50 km with 1750 meters of elevation gain

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

Stage 2 – The Rock – 70 km with 2550 meters of elevation gain

Monday, September 5: Castelnovo ne’ Monti – Castelnovo ne’ Monti

Stage 3 – High Mountain Queen Stage – 95 km with 3000 meters of elevation gain

Tuesday, September 6: Castelnovo ne’ Monti – Fanano

Stage 4 – Pippo Yeah 2.0 – 55 km with 2250 meters of elevation gain

Wednesday, September 7: Fanano – Fanano

Stage 5 – Gothic Line – 75 km with 2550 meters of elevation gain

Thursday, September 8: Fanano – Porretta Terme 

Stage 6 – Il Corno – 60 km with 2700 meters of elevation gain

Friday, September 9: Porretta Terme – Lizzano in Belvedere

Stage 7 – Monte Pizzo – 34 km with 1600 meters of elevation gain

Saturday, September 10: Lizzano in Belvedere – Lizzano in Belvedere

Registrations spike with Early Bird sold-out: hurry up to join the Appenninica family!

by | Jan 14, 2022 | Highlights

The race numbers reserved for the Appenninica MTB Stage Race’s Early Bird registration phase were sold out for the second consecutive year. With less than nine months to the go, two-thirds of the available spots are already gone, with new Countries also joining the party

If seems like 2022 Appenninica MTB Stage Race is already off to a very good start. At the end of December, the best-price Early Bird registration phase came to a close: all the available numbers for such period were sold out for the second straight year, as demands and attention keep increasing for the event whose 4th edition will be held from September 4th to 10th, 2022, in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines.

Among the Early Bird entrants, the 2021 participants who confirmed their participation with the Appenninica Family deal and those who chose to pass on their 2021 registration due to COVID-related circumstances, the event’s peloton already amounts nearly 100 riders, two-thirds of the closed number of 150 participants, with little less than nine months to the start.

Increasing interest also results in more Countries being represented at the event: Appenninica remains very popular among riders from the Netherlands and Belgium, already the most represented Countries in 2021, but Mexico, Brazil and Costa Rica also show in the list, with an increased presence also from American and Sweden, while new riders are expected from Spain. That is excellent news for an event whose main purpose is making the Apennines and the Emilia-Romagna’s beauties renowned on the international scale.

On January 1st, the “regular registration” phase has opened (1.290 €), to be followed by the eventual “late registration” period (1.490 €). Registrations will close upon reaching the maximum number of 150 participants.

At Appenninica, riders are guaranteed a full-service package, including the race number and all the thrills of the race, food and accommodation, as well as the offer of additional on-demand services such as massages, mechanical services, hotel packages or companion passes. It’s also possible to require a prorated payment plan in three instalments with no extra costs, a very popular choice also among Early Bird entrants.