The city and the Apennines, culture and outdoor adventure, flat terrain and mountains: Appenninica MTB Stage Race is ready to blend all these elements from September 2nd to 7th in a thrilling and exciting event. On the eve of the race, September 1st, Bologna will welcome riders from 24 countries, showcasing its international character just as it did in the very first edition in 2019.
Back then, the dreams of organizers Milena Bettocchi and Beppe Salerno took shape as the Appenninica MTB Stage Race: a mountain bike marathon event designed to showcase the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, a wonderful yet lesser-known area. Now, five years and six editions later, Appenninica returns to the heart of Bologna, ready to provide a top-notch cultural experience while embracing the outdoors and off-road cycling.
400 KM AND 13,000 MT OF ELEVATION GAIN: FROM BOLOGNA TO THE APENNINES
Bologna, a city renowned for its rich history and prestigious university, will welcome riders from 24 Countries, embodying the international spirit that has defined the race since its inception in 2019.
Appenninica MTB Stage Race will follow in the tracks of the Tour de France’s historic Italian Grand Départ earlier this summer. Riders will pass under the Arco del Meloncello and tackle the iconic San Luca climb, the same challenging ascent that tested road cycling legends Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard just two months prior.
The race will then venture into new territory, including a stage in the village of Loiano and a section along the ancient Via degli Dei hiking trail. Familiar challenges await as riders reach the Corno alle Scale – once a training ground for Italian skiing legend Alberto Tomba – and the imposing Monte Cimone, the highest peak in the Emilia-Romagna region.
The historic town of Fiumalbo, gateway to Tuscany, returns as a stage host for the second consecutive year. The route then winds back through the Monte Cusna and Monte Ventasso regions, areas steeped in medieval history and once ruled by the powerful Countess Matilde di Canossa. The race concludes in the shadow of the iconic Bismantova Rock, a distinctive rock formation that inspired Dante Alighieri’s vision of Purgatory in his Divine Comedy. This striking landmark has become a symbol of the race, providing a challenging yet exhilarating finale to the event.
FIERCE COMPETITION IN BOTH MEN’S AND WOMEN’S FIELDS
As riders prepare to tackle this challenging course, attention turns to the elite athletes who will be vying for victory.
In the men’s race, Dutch rider Hans Becking stands as the clear favorite, aiming for an unprecedented third victory. However, his recent performance at the Swiss Epic suggests potential vulnerability. Fierce competition is expected from fellow Dutch athlete Bart Classens, who has already achieved second and fourth places in the General Classification in his two previous participations. Poland’s Pawel Garczyk is also among the top contenders. Notable outsiders include three-time finisher Federico Mandelli, Belgium’s Bram Saeys, and Germany’s Peat Weinberg.
The women’s field presents a more open contest. Portuguese rider Celina Carpinteiro and Swiss athlete Nina Brenn, who secured third place last year, enter as slight favorites. However, Spain’s Ada Xinxó Morera and Dutch riders Erika Koster and Lola Bakker are all capable of upsetting the expected order.
A GLOBAL COMMUNITY UNITED BY PASSION
The Appenninica MTB Stage Race has cultivated a loyal following, with many riders returning year after year. Olympic champion Miguel Martinez, who compared the race favorably to the renowned Cape Epic after his experience last year, will make his second appearance in 2024. Similarly, Mark Leeper, captivated by the region’s beauty, extended his stay in Castelnovo ne’ Monti by a week after a previous edition, working remotely while immersing himself in the Apennine experience.
As the event approaches, the Apennines are already buzzing with activity. Juul Van Loon and Bart Classens are training in Fiumalbo, while the eccentric Peter Wouters and his distinctive 9th Wave orange van have set up camp in Castelnovo ne’ Monti.
The Appenninica MTB Stage Race embodies the spirit of adventure, connecting the cultural richness of Bologna with the raw beauty of the Apennine Mountains. It offers participants not just a race, but a journey through history, culture, and some of Italy’s most stunning landscapes. The 2024 journey is about to begin.