After the preliminary operations on Sunday, September 1st, Bologna will kick off the Appenninica MTB Stage Race the next day with the climb of San Luca, just over two months after the historical Tour de France stage finish on Sunday, June 30th.
The start of the first stage is placed exactly under the Arco del Meloncello, as the riders will immediately tackle the 2 km and 200 meters of elevation gain of the iconic climb that was crossed by the World’s top road riders only a few days ago. Upon reaching the summit, riders will enter the Via degli Dei route, the historic path that connects Bologna to Florence, designed along the ancient traces of the Flaminia Militare way.
About halfway along the route, there will be a small diversion from the traditional path to climb Monte Mario before returning to the Via degli Dei and following it almost to Monzuno. From there, riders will tackle the final descent towards the Savena River valley, with the last 5 kilometers climbing forest roads for nearly 400 meters of elevation gain, which will determine the first winner and the first leader’s jersey of Appenninica 2024.
The 42 km and 1550 meters of elevation gain of the first stage will be the perfect introduction for the protagonists of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race. Furthermore, the route designed almost entirely along the Via degli Dei will be a further international showcase for this area devoted to outdoor tourism.
“Appenninica MTB Stage Race is an excellent opportunity for our region to showcase our beautiful trails and paths. From September 2nd to 7th, 150 athletes, men and women, will ride along the Apennine ridge between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. The Municipality of Loiano, the finish of stage 1, looks forward to collaborating with the organizers to make the best of this opportunity while enhancing and protecting our environment,” said the Mayor of Loiano, Roberto Serafini.
Located along the Strada della Futa, 35 km from Bologna, Loiano is a town in the Bolognese Apennines making its debut this year as stage town for the Appenninica MTB Stage Race. The municipality of Loiano is home to the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Bologna, where studies of the celestial vault are carried out using high-quality technology.
Loiano is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts thanks to the trails of Bologna Montana Bike Area and the ArtTrail of Bologna Montana, which connects the town to Monghidoro, Monzuno, and San Benedetto in Val di Sandro.
HOW TO REGISTER
Registration for the Appenninica MTB Stage Race is still open in the “Late Registration” window, until July 31, 2024. As in the last five editions, organizers have confirmed the individual formula and a limited number of 150 participants: a choice aimed at avoiding overcrowding on the trails and ensuring high-quality support during the race for all participants.
