2019 APPENNINICA MTB: THE RACE COURSE

Appenninica mountain bike Stage Race lays the cards on the table and unveils the details of the 2019 race course. The Prologue, still secret, will be announced during a press conference on the 3rd of December in Bologna.

During the last two weeks seven of the eight stages of Appenninica MTB Stage Race have been revealed, one by one. The race will be in its first edition and for the first time in the history of the sport will see the participants crossing the whole Emilia Romagna region along the Apennines watershed –  about 550 km in length and with 20,000 meters of elevation gain – roughly following the route of Alta Via dei Parchi.

However, the launch of the race course is not yet complete, as the Prologue still has to be revealed: it will be unveiled, finally, during the press conference on the 3rd of December in Bologna, when the itinerary and all involved locations will be announced too.

The Prologue –  time to let something leak – will really make for an amazing show in a unique and special setting, something that will leave everyone speechless. But it will also give the participants the first chance of getting the measure of the field of competitors. The result of this very first round, as a matter of fact, will help to establish the line-up at the start line of the following day’s stage (Stage 1).

The feedback on the race course the organizers of Appenninica MTB have been receiving up to now is exactly what they were hoping for, and worth a competition that is going to find its place in the international panorama amongst the best stage races.

The race course is going to be tough and challenging – that’s for sure – but at the same time it will be fast-rolling and for the most part rideable, with a good mix of intense stages and easier days, and techy trails that will alternate with sections where legs and sheer power will make the difference.

During the first half of the race the high-mountain terrain will dictate the rules of the game; a difficult ground, with long passes and serious gradients. The race course will make its way across magnificent woods of beech trees, throughout meadows and along high-altitude ridges. The stages of the second half of the competition will take the participants over lower hilly ground, on a limestone and clayish type of terrain covered with woods of oaks that gradually give way to ancient chestnut trees and conifers.

Appenninica MTB is a unique adventure of its kind, a journey throughout 5 Regional Nature Parks and 2 National Parks, an immersion in the ancient roots of this part of the country, an experience for the senses in a region that boasts an extraordinary culinary heritage and plenty of renowned spas.

Seven different municipalities will play host to the event, and no less than 21 feeding zones will be arranged along a race course that will run above 1,000 meters of elevation for 60% of its length, with breathtaking views, forests and enchanted lakes.

Great work and consideration have been put into the choice of the race course, bearing in mind the natural context the event will take place in. Appenninica organizers in close collaboration with IMBA Italia (International Mountain Bicycling Association) are working on creating a round table with the representatives of the Parks and with Emilia Romagna’s section of CAI (Italian Alpine Club). The aim is to draw up a ‘low-impact Appenninica‘ protocol that will make possible to go through the experience  and participate in a top-notch competition with the smallest possible environmental impact.

Find here further info about the Stages.

Register

More pictures here

Credits: Edoardo Melchiori | appenninica-mtb.com

Destination Partners

ImageImage

Image

Official Timing Partner
Image
Official Sport Nutrition Partner
Image

Supporters

Image

Image

Image

Appenninica 2025 kicks off: five days of pure MTB

Tomorrow, Monday June 23rd, the 2025 edition of Appenninica MTB Stage Race kicks off from Lizzano in Belvedere. Through Friday June 27th, 117 riders will battle across 315 kilometers and nearly 12,000 meters of elevation gain. Hans Becking and Diego Arias are the men to watch, while the women’s field is wide open with no clear favorite.

Twenty-Two Nations line up for Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2025

From June 23-27, the Emilia-Romagna Apennines will collect the attention of international MTB lovers with 118 participants from 22 different Countries. The Netherlands and Italy lead the field, while South America is getting more represented year after year

Young and bold: Italian prospects ready to make their mark at Appenninica 2025

After Luca Cacchi’s surprising third-place finish in 2024, the 2025 edition of the Emilia-Romagna Apennine stage race will once again showcase Italian talent hunting for the spotlight against international stars from June 23-27

Appenninica MTB Stage Race partners’ family grows stronger

The 2025 edition, running June 23-27, is backed by a strong and diverse network of partners including sports brands, institutional authorities, and premium companies from Emilia-Romagna

Appenninica MTB 2025 awaits a new queen

From June 23 to 27, the Apennines of Emilia-Romagna will once again host an intense battle in the women’s field. After Nina Brenn’s dominant win in 2024, the race is wide open. Returnees like Lola Bakker, Elena Novikova and Regina Marunde are back to stake their claim, while debutants Syd Schulz, Gina Torres and Linda Van Vliet add fresh firepower to the start list

Hans Becking targets Appenninica four-peat

The Dutch rider will defend his Appenninica MTB Stage Race title from June 23-27, seeking his fourth straight win after achieving the title three times previously. The Buff-Megamo Team rider faces a thrilling showdown with 2022 winner Diego Arias

From the Giro d’Italia to Appenninica’s grand finale: a landmark 2025 for Castelnovo ne’ Monti

Nestled at the foot of the iconic Bismantova Rock, Castelnovo ne’ Monti is set for a standout summer in 2025, hosting the final two stages of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race and a Giro d’Italia finish on May 21. A thrilling calendar of sporting events lies ahead.

Riders Bulletin n.2/2025

Riders bulletin n.2 May 16, 2025    If you’ve received this email, you are probably registered for the VII edition of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, which will be held from June 23rd to June 27th. We are 37 days out.   This is the second rider...

Appenninica MTB Stage Race discovers Riolunato

The Modena province town makes its debut in the Italian mountain bike stage race running June 23–27, hosting both a finish and a start

Appenninica challenge returns to Lizzano in Belvedere

The Bologna Province town will host the start of the 2025 Appenninica MTB Stage Race after serving as the grand finale venue in previous editions

From Cape Epic to Appenninica: Karl Platt takes on a new challenge

The five-time Cape Epic winner will be at the start line in Lizzano in Belvedere on June 23. “It’s my first time in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, and I am looking forward to competing,” said the German

Metallurgica Veneta MTB Pro Team and Diego Arias set for Appenninica 2025 return

After their 2023 appearance, the team led by Martino Tronconi is heading back to the Appenninica MTB Stage Race. 2022 champion Diego Arias Cuervo will spearhead their campaign during the June 23-27 event, backed by teammates Jacopo Billi, Massimo Rosa, and Andrea Candeago