Talented women’s field promises top-class race at Appenninica

From Sunday, September 27th to Saturday, October 3rd, Esther Süss, Lorenza Menapace, Regina Marunde, Sarah Reiners and Gaia Ravaioli will enlight a fun and uncertain women’s competition in the MTB stage race on the Emilian Apennines

by Absa Cape Epic

For those who love Emilia-Romagna and cycling, the next two weeks are sure to give strong emotions. In the coming weekend in Imola, road cycling pros will fight for the world titles. At the same time, just an hour and a half away, in Porretta Terme (Bologna), the second edition of Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race will start, taking place from September 27th to October 3rd.

The organizers’ choice to confirm the event, moving it from Summer to the Autumn due to the epidemiological emergency, has proved successful. Many international riders opting in the MTB stage race on the Emilian Apennines to test themselves in the race and enjoy the typical Italian atmosphere.

If in the men’s field, top riders like Tiago Ferreira, Milton Ramos, Lukas Kaufmann, Hans Becking and more have accepted the challenge. On the Women’s side, the competition promises to be exciting and uncertain as ever, with big names of the international off-road scene expected in the Apennines.

Leading the field is Esther Süss, XCM World Champion in 2010 in Sankt Wendel, as well as twice European Champion, in 2008 in Sankt Wendel and 2010 in Montebelluna. Standing out in her palmares are also two Cape Epic overall wins: “I’m really curious to find out what Appenninica holds for me – the Swiss athlete explains -. Looking at the stages’ profiles, it seems that it will be a really hard race, and I usually like it that way. Honestly, I don’t know my opponents very well, but I think the overall level will be high and the race fun. I hope for good weather throughout the week, so to conclude this short and special season in the best way”.

Tenacious Lorenza Menapace won’t certainly stand by after winning the first edition in pair with French Danièle Troesch, and be willing to reclaim the title in the individual race: “In this weird season, Appenninica is my debut in a stage race – said the Italian -. I do not know what to expect, so far I have “just” concluded an Everesting at a high pace, the Oztaler Marathon and the Ortler Marathon, but I’ve never raced multiple days this year. It is like leaping in the dark, but I hope to have fun and finish another stage race, without too much pressure”.

Appenninica is also a new challenge for former German international and Olympian Regina Marunde, who debuted in 1991 in the World Championship right on the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, in “Il Ciocco”, where the XCO Italian Championships were held just a few days ago: “Last year in the Czech Republic, some French athletes told me that if I was looking for a beautiful MTB race with fun trails, I should have come to Appenninica – Marunde says -. That’s why I can’t wait for it to start, especially in such a particular year. Of course, you always try to be competitive, but the thing I like most is being able to share the experience with people who have my same passion”.

Rounding out the lot of favorites, 2016 Bike Transalp winner Sarah Reiners still wears the German national team jersey in XCM races, and Italian climber Gaia Ravaioli, 2017 and 2019 Endurance World Champion, also looks to factor in this enticing clash of queens at Appenninica.

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

With 150 riders from all continents, the Appenninica challenge goes global

Approaching its fifth edition (September 4-9, 2023), Appenninica MTB Stage Race – the mountain bike stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, Italy – is set to showcase 150 athletes hailing from 24 Nations, marking a sold-out status. This year, the event introduces an innovative initiative: Appenninica Teen Camp

Miguel Martinez leads the charge of “The Appenninici”

Cross-country gold medalist from the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Miguel Martinez, is set to kick off the 2023 Appenninica MTB Stage Race (September 4-9, 2023). A multitude of riders will converge for this stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, seeking a distinctive adventure filled with a treasure trove of stories and anecdotes.

Riders bulletin n.6/2023

Riders bulletin n.6 August 29, 2023   This is the sixth rider bulletin. These bulletins will provide useful information, news, and mandatory action reminders. Race time is Sunday!   The starting list is on the website. Click here. The event is sold out....

The Appenninica MTB Stage Race partners’ squad keeps growing stronger

In its fifth edition, scheduled from September 4th to 9th, the race has further stocked its partners’ panel: a testament to the event’s rise towards international prominence, while keeping deep roots in its territory

Debora Piana and Kristina Ilina challenge Naima Diesner for Appenninica throne

The German, winner of the last two editions, will be the athlete to beat at the 2023 Appenninica MTB Stage Race (Sept. 4-9), but the Italian rider and the Russian national champion will be upfront to try to spoil her plans