After yesterday’s victory in Loiano, the finish line in Vidiciatico brought further confirmation: Hans Becking and Nina Brenn are the two athletes in best form at the start of this Appenninica MTB Stage Race.
Hans Becking won solo in Vidiciatico and strengthened his lead at Appenninica MTB Stage Race: the Dutchman took 3:14:03 to ride the 73 km and 2,550 m of elevation gain. Second place went to the youngest participant, 21-year-old German Peat Weinberg, with a gap of 2:41, new provisional silver in the GC ahead of Luca Cacchi. The Italian reached the finish line 7:32 behind Becking, partially due to a wrong turn on the route.
“I was in the lead with Federico (Mandelli, ed) but he got a flat tire and I kept going solo. Tomorrow’s stage will be a tough one, climbing the Corno alle Scale from the steepest side,” said Hans Becking at the finish line.
“It was a really hot day out there, but I loved the stage: uphills were not too steep, and the descents were fun and technical. Furthermore, I saw some great spots along the way!” commented Weinberg at the finish.
As in the men’s field, Swiss rider Nina Brenn increased her lead and was now 27:41 ahead of Spaniard Ada Xinxó Morera. Third place in Vidiciatico and in the GC went to Portuguese Celina Carpinteiro, with a gap of 37:05 from the leader.
“I’m having fun, more than expected!” said Ada Xinxó Morera at the finish line. “I got sick last week and I’m still struggling a bit with my stomach, but the race is going fine. Yesterday I loved the single track section, today we crossed such a beautiful castle (Rocca Mattei, ed). Let’s see what’s coming in the next days!”
FROM MASSACHUSETS TO THE APENNINES: THE STORY OF MATTHEW MOLLO
In the opening stage from Bologna to Loiano, the riders had taken off from the city and got a first glimpse of the Apennines. On Tuesday, September 3rd, Appenninica MTB Stage Race dived into the real Apennines and their wild nature along the 73 km and 2,550 m of elevation gain from Loiano to Vidiciatico, a hamlet of Lizzano in Belvedere.
Among the regular stage venues of the race, Vidiciatico is nestled in the heart of the Apennines, halfway between Modena and Bologna. Winding along the “Gothic Line“, where World War II was fought, the race filled the hearts and eyes of the peloton with medieval villages and breathtaking spots throughout the Apennines.
The 125 riders taking on this Italian adventure brought along racing and life stories from all around the world, like that of Matthew Mollo, 41 years old from Massachusetts, US. Mollo joined Appenninica MTB Stage Race for the first time in 2022 and got in touch with some local wine producers. Fast forward, Mollo – whose family boasts Italian legacy from the Calabria region – combined his two passions, cycling and wines, and made a business out of it.
“I came here in 2022, and I got the chance to meet some local wineries. Since then, I’m importing their prestigious wines to the US, but this might become something bigger. Life overseas is too frenetic and together with my wife we are thinking about moving to Italy. We already own a place in Umbria (about 200 km South from Bologna, ed) and the slower everyday life fits us better. Let’s see what the future holds for us!“
The passion and warm welcome of the Apennines had clearly made an impact once again. And that’s exactly what this journey of 400 km and 13,000 m of elevation gain was aiming for.
STAGE 3: FROM LIZZANO TO FIUMALBO ON THE APENNINES RIDGES
Tomorrow, September 4th, the “Monte Cimone Challenge XL” will be a major test for those who still dream of a prestigious outcome in the GC. Two climbs to the highest peaks of the Apennines, the Corno alle Scale first and the Monte Cimone second, can’t be underestimated.
The 59 km and 2600 m elevation gain route will kick off from Vidiciatico and head towards the Scaffaiolo Lake, hosting for the first time a KOM halfway through the stage. After the first ascent, a technical single track downhill awaits the riders before climbing again towards the Monte Cimone. The last part flows on a slight descent towards the medieval town of Fiumalbo, featuring for the second consecutive year as an Appenninica stage venue.