More than trails and dirt roads in the MTB stage race on the Emilian Apennines (September 27th-October 3rd), but also tasty local specialties to make the riders’ experience even more special
Ph. E. Melchiorri
Limiting Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race only to the competitive aspect would be overly reductive. FromSeptember 27th to October 3rd, the riders will find much more than a MTB stage race: the Appenninica family will help them into the Emilian Apennines’ culture and traditions.
The culinary tradition of the area, and of Italy as a whole, is undoubtedly one big motivation for those choosing the Appenninica adventure. Emilia-Romagna is a region of excellence in terms of cuisine, and the Appenninica organizers want to show it during the race, supported by title sponsor Parmigiano Reggiano and fellow partners Venturini Baldini, I Love Piadina, Parmonie, water supplied by Gruppo SEM and Coop Alleanza 3.0.
At Appenninica, the athletes will have to face more than 450 km and 16 thousand meters of total elevation gain, requiring a great deal of energy to be reintegrated with genuine and traditional food from the areas involved. Each stage venue will present its own specialty to make every stage unique from a gastronomic perspective.
Porretta Terme (Bologna) will present its pappardelle with meat sauce, Fanano (Modena) the tigelle combined with cold cuts, cheese and stracchino, Castelnovo ne’ Monti (Reggio Emilia) will treat the riders with the famous “rice bomb” and Collecchio (PR) with the “torta fritta” and cold cuts. Everything will be accompanied by many other local delicacies.
The highlight will then be the grand finale dinner offered by title sponsor Parmigiano Reggiano, in which riders can plunge into the tasting of the excellences of local food and wine. The perfect finishing act of the challenging but gratifying MTB experience in the Emilian Apennines.
“The gastronomic discovery is one of the reasons why we think of Appenninica as an experience, more than just a race – co-organizer Milena Bettocchi explained – Emilia is an internationally-famous area of gastronomic excellence, and living Appenninica without diving in this reality would be like giving up to a huge piece of its cultural heritage.”
“An athlete can finish the Giro d’Italia in Milan without eating the famous cutlet, but he cannot finish Appenninica without discovering the taste of the erbazzone, the fragrance of the torta fritta and the scent of the real mountain Parmigiano Reggiano. It is part of what we are. And it is also for this reason that appetite grows with climbing at Appenninica”, Bettocchi added.
Focus on the stage venues – The town in the province of Reggio Emilia and the beautiful “Rock” in the background are set to host Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race again on September 30th and October 1st
The discovery journey through Appenninica Parmigiano Reggiano Stage 2020’s stage venues, scheduled from September 27th to October 3rd, continues. After Porretta Terme (Bologna) and Fanano (Modena), Castelnovo ne’ Monti also decided to replicate the 2019 experience, welcoming the Appenninica family once more. The town of the Reggio Emilia province will host two stages this year, and the start of a third one that will lead the riders to the province of Parma.
On Wednesday, September 30th, Castelnovo ne’ Monti and the “Don Bosco” oratory will be the finish area of the long-awaited Queen Stage, whose 105 km and 4300 m of total elevation gain will prove crucial for the final classification of the stage race.
Bikers will face the Passo del Saltello, Passo di San Pellegrino in Alpe, Passo delle Radici, Passo del Giovarello and Passo della Cisa before heading towards the medieval town of Sologno, from where the Bismantova Rock, an authentic symbol of Appenninica, starts to appear. The riders will continue on a technical trail from the city taking them down to the Secchia river. Once they have crossed the river, a series of switchbacks on asphalt will lead them back to the “Don Bosco” oratory to take the well-deserved rest.
But it will be especially on the following day, Thursday October 1st, when Castelnovo ne’ Monti will be in the spotlights, as stage 5 starts and finishes in the central Piazza Peretti. The first part of the route follows – in the opposite direction – a stretch of the first edition: after the first kilometers on paved road, a sequence of fast forest roads and uphill trails rise towards the Montemiscoso mountain village. A 5-km paved climb leads to the beautiful setting of the glacial-origin Lake Calamone, and from there, a long and pleasant downhill trail leads back to Cervarezza and another uphill forest road. Back to the top of the mountain, there is a short and fun downhill that anticipates some “ups and downs” on fast roads until reaching the base of the majestic Bismantova Rock, framing the last part of the course until the finish in Piazza Peretti.
The “Don Bosco” oratory will then launch the riders towards the Parma province and outside the Apennine massif on Friday, October 2nd, in the stage that will end in Collecchio. “In recent years, the practice of MTB has grown exponentially, and the territory and the ridge of the mid-Apennines offer routes appreciated by bikers from all over Italy and beyond – the Mayor of Castelnovo ne’ Monti, Enrico Bini, explained -. In Castelnovo, we are lucky enough to have extraordinary landscapes, such as the Bismantova Rock, and comfortable accommodation facilities for the bikers. The fact that Appenninica partners with Parmigiano Reggiano, the leading agri-food product of our area and excellence recognized worldwide, is another excellent vehicle for promoting the town and its agricultural sector. We look forward to welcoming the Appenninica family”.
CASTELNOVO NE’ MONTI: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Nestled in the green of three conifers, Castelnovo ne’ Monti boasts a central geographical position between the valleys of Secchia and Enza, Reggio Emilia and the Passo del Cerreto. For this reason, it is considered the capital of the Reggio Emilia mountains. The heart of the entire landscape is the Bismantova Rock, a majestic grey sandstone rocky emergency that stretches on the top of a plateau. The “Rock” is the icon of a territory that also encloses the area of the Triassic Chalks, ancient rocks that date back to the period called “Trias” (200 million years ago), and the archaeological site of Campo Pianelli.
In addition to offering an evocative scenery for trekking or jogging lovers, the territory provides a network of well-equipped trails for those who wish to pursue well being through the outdoor activity. The tracks for horses and bikes around the Bismantova Rock are also very appreciated as it is the climbing in the Rock, point of excellence of this discipline.
There’s plenty to enjoy also for the food lovers, such as the “salame fiorettino” and the mountain “zuccotto”; the first stands out for the tasty “lardelli” cut by hand while the Bismantova “zuccotto” is a typical Christmas dessert. The mountain “erbazzone” is another can’t-miss treat: a savory cake stuffed with spinach, Parmigiano Reggiano and other local specialties.
Registrations to the stage race on the Emilian Apennines (September 27th – October 3rd) are closed: an exiciting edition is in the cards with great riders at the start, such as Tiago Ferreira and Esther Süss
September is the month of Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race this year: there are now only 26 days left to the start from Porretta Terme (Bologna) of the MTB stage race on the Emilian Apennines, scheduled from September 27th to October 3rd, and the ordinary registrations for the upcoming edition have closed on Monday August 31st.
The Organizing Committee headed by Milena Bettocchi and Beppe Salerno resiliently ran their initiative in the tough months of the epidemic emergency, moving the race from the summer to the autumn season and working to ensure the event in full safety for both athletes and insiders.
This tenacity has been largely rewarded by a prestigious list of starters: many riders have been fascinated by the general offer of the course, a very demanding challenge with its 16 thousand meters of total elevation gain, and also by the beauty and scenery of the Apennines, an area still to be discovered, not only by bike.
There is going to be a tight battle both in the men’s and women’s competition: on the one hand current champion Lukas Kaufmann, European and former World Champion Tiago Ferreira, Milton Ramos, Hans Becking and Lorenzo Samparisi, while on the other hand the former World Champion Esther Süss, Gaia Ravaioli, Sarah Reiners, former Olympian Regina Marunde and Lorenza Menapace, just to mention some of the most anticipated protagonists.
“Despite a year with unique circumstances – Beppe Salerno explained – the participation numbers are very interesting, with some prominent names of the MTB world. Due to the COVID-19, several athletes arriving from outside Europe, particularly from the United States and South Africa, have had to give up the event, but will not miss the opportunity to be here in 2021″.
HE COURSE
Logistic reasons have forced a variation on the course of the last two stages, concerning in particular the stage venue. Collecchio (Parma) and the charming Corte di Giarola will replace Noceto (Parma) with no strictly technical changes in the course since the two municipalities are next to each other. “We thank Noceto for the availability and collaboration offered in recent months – Beppe Salerno commented – and we hope to return to visit it in the years to come. At the same time, we warmly welcome Collecchio, that will have the honor to crown the winner of a second edition that promises to be really enticing”.
Sunday, September 27th: Porretta Terme – Porretta Terme (45 km) Elevation Gain: 1645 m
Monday, September 28th: Porretta Terme – Fanano (60 km) Elevation Gain: 2650 m
Tuesday, September 29th: Fanano – Fanno (50 km) Elevation Gain: 2300 m
Wednesday, September 30th: Fanano – Castelnovo ne’ Monti (110 km) Elevation Gain: 4300 m
Thursday, October 1st: Castelnovo ne’ Monti – Castelnovo ne’ Monti (53 km) Elevation Gain: 1900 m
Friday, October 2nd: Castelnovo ne’ Monti – Collecchio (94 km) Elevation Gain: 2500 m
Saturday, October 3rd: Collecchio – Collecchio (35 km) Elevation Gain: 650 m
The 2016 XCM World Champion will be at the start of Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race (September 27th – October 3rd) with the DMT Racing Team by Andrea Marconi, which will also line up another remarkable biker in Dutch Hans Becking
Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race 2020 is ready to welcome the big names of the international mountain bike scene. The DMT Racing Team by Andrea Marconi riders were the latest to accept the challenge of the Emilian Apennines, taking place from September 27th to October 3rd. Lining up in Porretta Terme (Bologna) will be former World Champion Tiago Ferreira and another established international rider like Hans Becking.
Born in 1988, Portuguese Ferreira jumped to the headlines a few weeks ago, when he managed to break the record of “double Everesting”, exceeding 18 thousand meters of elevation gain on his bike in 24 hours. Now he should, therefore, be ready for the 16 thousand meters of elevation gain of the Appenninica’s course. However, this was only the latest feat of a career full of success, such as the XCM World Title in 2016 in Laissac, France, making him the only Portuguese World Champion in cycling together other than Rui Costa in the 2013 Road Race. Ferreira was also crowned European Champion twice, in Svit (Slovakia), 2017, and Kvam (Norway), 2019. In addition to these triumphs, several World Cup victories make him one of the most successful active bikers.
“I am happy that somebody has finally decided to organize a MTB stage race in Italy – Andrea Marconi, owner of the DMT Racing Team, based in San Severino Marche (Macerata), explained -. We traveled the world, doing races of all kinds, and I couldn’t understand why there wasn’t a race like this in our Country. Therefore, our participation is an investment in this discipline, hoping that Italians can discover it and get closer and closer to MTB. The Apennines are still quite unexplored by the bike world, and we always like to discover, which is why we wanted to support the enthusiasm and passion of these organizers”.
Even Becking’s curriculum is impressive, since he was Dutch National Champion in both Cross-Country and Marathon disciplines. Few bikers can say that they won in every corner of the world as the 1986-born biker did. Becking has won the Brasil Ride three times and the Epic Israel twice, in addition to the victory at La Leyenda del Dorado in Colombia and several successes between Spain and Portugal.
For both Ferreira and Becking, the Apennines represent a brand-new challenge: nevertheless, they will line up as two of the main favorites, even more after the success in Colina Triste, Spain, a few weeks ago, where they raced in pair. “I don’t expect an easy race: there will be many pitfalls, and there is no lack of talented opponents. Racing individually and not in pairs will allow us to have two cards to play. Overall it’s a tough race, even if our riders become stronger when the elevation gain increases,” Marconi concluded.
Focus on the stage venues – The challenging trails and magnificent scenery of the town in the Province of Modena will host two stages and the start of the Queen Stage of Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race (on September 28th, 29th and 30th)
The discovery journey through Appenninica Parmigiano Reggiano Stage 2020‘s stage venues, scheduled from September 27th to October 3rd, continues. After the opening stage in Porretta Terme (Bologna), the Appenninica family will move towards the Province of Modena, as Fanano, after the excellent feedback from last year, decided to double its commitment in the MTB stage race on the Emilian Apennines, welcoming two stages and the launch of the Queen Stage in the 2020 route.
On Monday, September 28th, Fanano’s city center will host the finish of the second stage. On day three, though, on Tuesday, September 29th, the mountain town in the Modena’s Province will be in the spotlight as start and finishing venue of a stage full of fascinating natural trails and breathtaking landscapes. The course was charted by renowned trail builder Pippo Marani, and named “Pippo Yeah” after its architect.
The stage starts on the tarmac, quickly gaining elevation towards Taburri, before entering a trail up to the Colombino Pass. The following descent dives into the majestic chestnut woods, riding on dirt roads until reaching Capanno Tassoni.
After leaving the hut behind, the view will open over a succession of beautiful scenery and wide landscapes, which will not divert the attention from the singletracks on the ridges that follow one another between the Croce Arcana, Lake Scaffaiolo and Passo del Lupo. There are a few portage sections, but the descent towards the finish line will fully repay the effort, featuring a compilation of fun trails, technical sections, ridges and berms, straight towards Fanano.
There’s more to it, though. On Wednesday September 30th Fanano will launch the participants towards Castelnovo ne’ Monti and the province of Reggio Emilia, for the 105 km and 4200 mt of elevation gain of the Queen Stage, passing from the Monte Cimone to Passo del Saltello, Passo di San Pellegrino, Passo delle Radici, Passo del Giovarello and Passo della Cisa. It will be a crucial day for Appenninica’s final classification.
Stage 3 and 4 were also covered by the recon of the pro rider Andrea Tiberi, who showed the course features in an emotional video available on the official channels of Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race.
“We believe in Apenninica because Fanano has more than 200 km of trails, and we see MTB as an important asset for tourism – the Mayor of Fanano Stefano Muzzarelli explained -. In 2019 Appenninica brought passionate bikers from all over the World, and that was great for us. Foreign tourism is on the rise here, and it is based on sports, nature and good food: that’s where our strategy is headed. We thank Appenninica’s organizers for their commitment: seeing our territory in the top magazines in mountain bike is the icing on the cake for us.”
FANANO: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Fanano is a mountain town immersed in the nature, located in the “Parco dell’Alto Appennino Modenese” at the foot of the Monte Cimone‘s massif (m. 2165, the highest peak touched by Appenninica), with an area whose altitude varies from 600 to 2165 meters. It is ideal for cycling and hiking. Cimone is often a destination for freeride enthusiasts, as it hosts one of the most important BikeParks in Italy.
Thanks to the beauty of this area, Fanano set some relevant Italian movies, such as “Una Gita Scolastica” (1983) by Pupi Avati, whose final scene was filmed at Lake Scaffaiolo, where Appeninica’s participants will also pass by. “Tutto Quello Che Vuoi” (2015) by Francesco Bruni, winner of Italian “David di Donatello” featuring Giuliano Montaldo, was filmed in the Ospitale. Finally, “Zen Sul Ghiaccio Sottile” (2018) by Margherita Ferri, was set at the Fanano’s ice stadium and presented at the Venice Film Festival.
The city is particularly proud of Felice Pedroni (Felix Pedro 1858 -1910), a pioneer born in the Municipality of Fanano who, in the era of gold prospectors, contributed to the foundation and became the president of the new mining district of Fairbanks (Alaska). In the Linea Gotica Museum in Trignano it is possible to find out more about his adventurous life.
The Italian MTB veteran seized the opportunity to see what the Italian MTB stage race has got in store for its participants from September 27 to October 3, 2020. An electrifying mix of mountains, trails and stunning views on one of the most unspoiled areas in Italy
He has got an Italian National Championship and an Olympic race participation to his name over a long top-level career in cross country MTB, but calling Andrea Tiberi “just” a Pro rider would miss a significant part of the whole story.
Tiberi’s deep love for cycling and adventure is what brought him wandering around the Alps for the pure sake of discovery. Hence, when the call from Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race came, the 34-year-old from Oulx (Piedmont, Northern Italy) could not resist to the lures of a new, unspoiled land to discover on two wheels: the Emilian Apennines.
In the late-July days when the 2020 edition was first supposed to take place, Tiberi traveled to the Apennines to discover what the exacting course of Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race has got in store for the riders from September 27th to 3rd, 2020.
Tiberi’s trip, recorded by the Appenninica’s video crew, focused on two of the most anticipated stages of the race: the third, starting and finishing in Fanano, and the fourth, the Queen stage, with no less than 105 km and 4.200 mt of elevation gain from Fanano to Castelnovo ne’ Monti, just under the iconic Bismantova Rock.
“You don’t really know a land until you go and check it out yourself. That was definitely true for the Apennines,” Tiberi admitted. “As a person who hails from the Alps, we have the tendency of thinking of ours as the ‘real’ mountains in Italy. I was impressed to see how much I was missing here in the Apennines.”
“The peaks might not be as high as on the Alps, but the climbs, the unique mountain atmosphere, the stunning views, are a joy to behold. It’s a land of cycling and outdoor opportunities, waiting to be discovered.”
Andrea Tiberi’s experience covered it all: from the exchanges with the locals to the authentic taste of the mountain Parmigiano Reggiano, made right in the Apennines area. Obviously, though, the main course were the climbs and trails of one of the most challenging courses in the whole MTB stage races’ scenario: “Amazing course, really technical but offering plenty of fun all the times. Honestly, here I found some of the most beautiful and charming passages I can recall in my whole life,” Tiberi acknowledged.
The video is available for sharing and embedding through Youtube and Social Networks.
Lorenzo Samparisi and Gaia Ravaioli are set to compete for the overall crown in the second edition of Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race (September 27th – October 3rd)
With now less than 50 days to go to the start in Porretta Terme, new remarkable names keep joining the Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race‘s starting list. The KTM Alchemist Dama Selle SMP were the latest team in time to have made official their participation in the MTB stage race on the Emilian Apennines, scheduled from September 27th to October 3rd.
Based in Tirano (Sondrio), the team boasts a significant international experience and a prestigious palmares. Their activity is split between the disciplines of MTB and Cyclocross, and the backbone of the team is made by the Samparisi: Nicolas and Lorenzo are the top riders, while Simone – a former rider himself – is the General Manager. Lorenzo Samparisi and Gaia Ravaioli, who just won the Pedalonga in Comelico Superiore (Belluno), will come to Appenninica with the intention of competing for the final victory.
“We wished to come to Appenninica already last year, but we couldn’t due to calendar circumstances – explained KTM Dama Selle SMP General ManagerSimone Samparisi, who will join the two riders in the race together with the team physio. “The race fascinates us; we like the format and we were looking for a hard course just like this. We will come to Appenninica with many racing days in the legs, including the Swiss Epic, so we expect to be in a very solid condition. As with every race, we will line up at the start to win, even if we know that the competition will be tough”.
Lorenzo Samparisi, born in 1993, won the Gran Fondo Val di Noto 2019 and achieved several prestigious placements around Europe. At Appenninica he will be one of the main Italian hopes to clash against the likes of favorites Lukas Kaufmann and Milton Ramos.
Gaia Ravaioli graduated Endurance World Champion (24H solo) in 2017 and 2019, has worn the Italian Marathon National team’s jersey, and won the World Cup race in Spilimbergo in 2019. The 16-thousand-metre of total elevation gain seem to fit perfectly the 1988-born athlete from Genoa, who thrives when the mileage gets higher. The challenge in the women’s field is set to be exciting, with many legitimate contenders joining the ranks in Porretta Terme (Bologna).
“Lorenzo was born in Rimini and knows the Emilian Apennines’ area well – Simone Samparisi continued -. We hope this will prove to be an advantage on the way to a solid result. For Gaia it will be a first time, but she has what it takes to copes with the threats of the Apennines’ trails.”
Focus on the stage venues – On Sunday September 27th and Monday 28th, the main town of Alto Reno Terme municipality will host Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race’s opening time trial and the start of the second stage
It is time to discover the four municipalities that will host the second edition of Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race, scheduled from September 27th to October 3rd. Porretta Terme (Alto Reno Terme’s main town) and the Province of Bologna will set the stage start, confirming their commitment after welcoming the fourth stage of the 2019 edition.
On Sunday, September 27th, Piazza della Libertà in Porretta Terme will be closed to traffic and well prepped to welcome the Appenninica family before their first effort. A 43-km individual time trial will get things started, with start and finish in the heart of the thermal town in the province of Bologna. After the first steady 5 km climb on secondary roads, with some short steeper sections, the bikers will cross the ancient village of Castelluccio and Manservisi Castle’s park where a beautiful forest road starts and climbs up to 1300 mt.
A fast double track will lead to the “Pian dello Stellaio” prairie where the course turns and points again to Mount Cavallo with a beautiful single track opening a stunning view over the Apennines. A technical section precedes the end of this trail before the following climb, with some portage sections, to the summit of Mount Piella and its panoramic point, with a cross overlooking the Reno valley. The final downhill in the forest follows an ancient path dotted by small hamlets. Bikers will then face one more technical section before the stairway that marks the finish in the center of Porretta Terme.
The village close to Bologna will also launch the 65-km second stage of Appenninica towards Fanano (Modena), on Monday, September 28th. The first part is demanding with the climb starting from the Rifugio della Segavecchia and leading to Sboccata dei Bagnadori all inside the forest. The bikers will then ride to the Apennine ridge and the Corno delle Scale mountain before entering the province of Modena to face a techincal and tricky final.
“Appenninica is a premium opportunity to team up with all the Emilia-Romagna municipalities to promote the Northern Apennines and the Alta Via dei Parchi – the Mayor of Alto Reno Terme Giuseppe Nanni explained -. Confirming our commitment in the race shows our confidence in the opportunity of diversifying the tourist offer, leveraging on sports activities related to green and eco-sustainable tourism. Appenninica has an international flair and contributes to create a new image of Alto Reno Terme, linked to thermal baths, wellness, nature, sports and leisure, with an excellent gastronomic offer”.
PORRETTA TERME: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Alto Reno Termeis a town in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, renowned for its thermal waters, the green of its forests and picturesque villages set in its mountains. Not by chance, it has been awarded by the EDEN project as a destination of excellence in sustainable tourism.
The main town, Porretta Terme, is home to important musical events such as the Porretta Soul Festival and many others (Prog Festival, Jazz Festival, international courses of classical music etc.). The local gastronomy is renowned, thanks to its typical products (in particular chestnuts, such as the “neccio”, “tortino di Porretta” and chestnut beer) and positively contaminated by the culinary traditions of Emilia and Tuscany.
The rich and fascinating trails network allows to carry out mountain biking and trekking activities in an uncontaminated environment. Not to be missed, in particular, are the Suviana and Brasimone Lakes Park and the Rifugio Montecavallo, nestled in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines.
Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race welcomes Hibros in his big family as a new technical sponsor. The company from Bologna is specialized in massage creams and creams for the perineal area. It is perfect for taking care of the muscles after the efforts to which all athletes of Appenninica will be subjected.
Hibros products will be used by masseurs chosen by the organizing committee at the end of each stage, but will also be part of the prizes for the final winners, and thanks to the single doses included in the race package, all the Appenninica’s athletes will have the opportunity to test them.
Hibros Chemical Laboratory was founded in Bologna at the end of the 19th century by the Nadalini family, initially for the production of hair care products. In 1967 he obtained a licence for the production of bleaches and products for the treatment of face and body, while in 1999 was born the cosmetic line Hibros Sport, dedicated to athletes and in particular to the cycling industry.
Thanks to the collaboration with professional masseurs, the Hibros brand has become a reference point for the athletes of the most important cycling teams in the world, as well as official sponsor of the Italian Cycling Federation.
The organizers of the Italian MTB stage race (September 27th- October 3rd) are developing anti-COVID prevention measures, according to the guidelines provided by the Italian Federation and the Government. Two significant changes to the race format: the race will be only individual, and the first stage in Porretta Terme becomes a time trial
Italy seems to have left behind the most critical phase of the Covid-19 emergency, but attention needs to stay high as cycling competitions are about to restart in the Country. The organizers of Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race are putting in the utter effort so that the stage race, scheduled from September 27th to October 3rd, can be held in total safety for athletes, insiders, and the public.
The Italian Cycling Federation ensured the possibility to return racing, respecting the prevention guidelines for individual or collective races. Appenninica’s organizing committee has, therefore, made significant arrangements to reduce any risk situation significantly.
In recent weeks the organizers have been constantly in touch with the athletes and their staff, updating them on the developments of the emergency in Italy and the conduct codes established by the national and sporting authorities. At the same time, in addition to creating the Anti-Infection Committee, Appenninica is instructing its staff, volunteers, and external partners to provide more extensive knowledge of the prevention measures.
The so-called “Yellow Zone”, which brings together athletes and professionals, will be kept under close surveillance to avoid unnecessary contacts and maintain, wherever possible, social distance. For this reason, some technical procedures initially planned will be modified, or deleted, to minimize the risk of gathering in sensitive areas.
In addition to temperature measurement with thermoscanners, there will be several stations dispensing gel sanitizer and specific signals with the conduct rules in the race and common areas. Precautions will also be taken for refreshments and evening dinners, avoiding buffets, while athletes will be forbidden to exchange bottles among them.
“FCI guidelines follow the right way for the prevention – Beppe Salerno, co-organizer along with Milena Bettocchi, explains -. At this stage, it is crucial to be cautious, because the Covid-19 has still to be defeated. We are confident that these measures, together with the common sense of all those involved, will allow us to race in complete safety”.
For this reason, two relevant modifications to the race format were decided to further reduce the risk of infection. The first is the abolition of the “Team” category for the 2020 edition: therefore each biker will compete individually and not in pairs, with all riders being reassigned to their individual categories: “In this situation, bike, tools and any other object in and outside the race must be personal, and also the exchange of water bottles and bars is not allowed: we love the ‘Team’ formula, but we believe it is safer to renounce it as a further preventive measure for this year. Moreover, with the current extraordinary regulations, the podium is necessarily limited to three athletes”, Beppe Salerno explained.
The second change concerns the first stage on Sunday, September 27th, starting and finishing in Porretta Terme (Bologna), which becomes an individual time trial. Such an option will allow better management of the starts, with distanced starting grids enacted from stage two.
Useful information about Appenninica
Appenninica is a full-service race, so the registration fee already includes many services: from overnight stays to meals and technical assistance and many others. However, some extra service packagesare also available to make the experience more complete and comfortable.
The race will touch four provinces, in four municipalities immersed in the Apennines beauty, over seven stages. It will start from Porretta Terme (Bologna), that will host the first stage (individual time trial) and the start of the second, then move to Fanano (Modena) and from the fourth, the Queen Stage of over 4000 meters of elevation gain, in Castelnovo ne’ Monti (Reggio Emilia). The finish of the last two stages will be in Noceto (Parma), in the heart of the Parmigiano Reggiano production area. THE STAGES IN DETAIL
Registrations for Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race are open on the website. Teams that have not yet had the opportunity to plan the 2020 season can contact the organizers for participation.
The new “Official Sports Nutrition Partners” of the MTB stage race (September 27th-October 3rd, 2020) will give athletes an essential nutritional and integrative contribution.
Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race family has grown bigger thanks to the agreement with KeForma and Strategic Nutrition Center, which become “Official Sports Nutrition Partner” for the second edition of the MTB stage race, scheduled from September 27th to October 3rd, 2020.
To face a challenge like Appenninica, you need to pay special attention to details, like training, materials, rest time, and the choice of correct nutrition.
KeFormawill give an important contribution to the athletes during the racing week on the Emilian Apennines, including its products in the athletes’ race package and making them available in the feed zones along the course, at the start and finish of the various stages.
The company from San Marino produces a complete line of supplements thought for sports and physical well-being, using active ingredients and certified raw materials of the highest quality, aimed at the specific needs of athletes of any level. Over the last few years, KeForma supplements have received remarkable awards from numerous professional teams and internationally renowned athletes. They are now ready to get involved with the challenge of Appenninica.
Joining the field is also Strategic Nutrition Center, whose mission and method perfectly match with Appenninica. The Bologna-based center’s philosophy focuses on teamwork, synergy, and confrontation with other professionals, with improvement, innovation, and continuous learning as a goal.
Born from the idea of Dr. Lorenzo Bergami, Nutritionist Biologist, an expert in Sports Nutrition, Integration and Nutraceutical and Anti-aging Potentiative Medicine, Strategic Nutrition Center will be at Appenninica with a team of experts, giving athletes the opportunity to undergo a Body Composition visit (BIA) at the start and finish of some stages.
“We decided to collaborate with Appenninica, because we love challenges, and teaming up with those who thrive for them – Dr. Bergami explains -. Seven stages in the Emilian Apennines woods are a unique opportunity for riders to test themselves and see how far they can get: any time they should be in trouble, we will be on hand to support them to the finish line”.
The German MTB International from 1991 to 2004 took part in the Atlanta 1996 Olympics and is now ready to test herself on the trails of Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race
The passion for mountain biking never vanishes, no matter if you are no longer a professional. Regina Marunde, born in 1968, knows it well: after having trod the most important MTB international races between the 90s and 2000 as a professional, she is still looking for new challenges on her bike in her present as as osteopath and personal trainer.
Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race, scheduled from September 27th to October 3rd, is one of these challenges, and the German athlete from Berlin looks to have fun and discover the hurdles of the Emilian Apennines.
“I cannot wait to face the real mountains again after the break due to the virus – Regina admits -. Staying in Berlin without the opportunity to test myself on challenging races was really frustrating, so I am eager to discover the routes of the Emilian Apennines and do what I like most: take my MTB and enjoy some real trails”.
Regina Marunde was a German international from 1991 to 2004, taking part in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, where she finished seventh, and in several World Championships and Cups. She had a good chance of being selected for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games as well, but a bad fall caused her several fractures, with no chances to recover in time to go to Greece. That year, in fact, she managed to win the challenging Transalp in the German Alps, going on to finish third the following year.
