There are events that race through a region — and then there are events that belong to it. Appenninica MTB Stage Race has never been just about trails and profiles. It’s about terrain and identity. From the first edition, it has been deeply rooted in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines — and every year, that bond grows stronger.
More than a race, it’s become a ritual. A gathering where competition and connection go hand in hand. The “Appenninica Family” isn’t just a phrase — it’s what keeps riders, staff, and locals coming back.
Tomorrow, from the slopes of Corno alle Scale in Lizzano in Belvedere, 117 athletes will embark on a five-stage journey: 315 kilometers, 12,000 meters of elevation, and one goal — to conquer one of Europe’s most authentic and demanding mountain bike stage races.
On Friday June 27th, beneath the cliffs of Pietra di Bismantova, we’ll know the names of the 2025 winners across all categories: Men Elite, Women Elite, Master, Grand Master, and Great Grand Master.
Among the starters are curious newcomers discovering these mountains for the first time — and returning faces who’ve seen the race evolve year after year. Some are back for their second or third attempt. Others, their fifth. They know the names. They know the stories. And above all, they know what Appenninica means.
This year, they’ll face a twist. For the first time, the event runs in late June — a deliberate move by ASD Happy Trail MTB. The change in calendar adds a layer of unpredictability: late-spring form, heat management, and trail conditions could all play a crucial role in deciding the outcome.
BECKING VS ARIAS, BUT THE PACK IS DEEP
If you’ve already won Appenninica, you don’t sneak under the radar. If you’ve won it three times — as Hans Becking has in 2020, 2023, and 2024 — you carry a target on your back. But the Dutchman thrives under pressure and knows these trails like few others.
Standing in his way is 2022 winner Diego Arias. A pure climber with serious pedigree, Arias lines up with strong team support from Massimo Rosa and Andrea Candeago — and with a clear objective: to take back the crown.
The front row might be familiar, but there’s danger all around. Federico Mandelli showed his potential with a stage win last year and returns with more confidence. Bad Team’s young duo Davide Magnani and Peter Menghetti are here to disrupt the status quo, as are the Rolling Bike Team’s Vincenzo Saitta and Emanuele Spica. Local hope Lorenzo Dallarosta, born in 2001, will be racing on home soil and could be one to watch.
Missing from the action is Luca Cacchi, one of 2024’s big names, forced to withdraw last-minute after a knee injury at Dolomiti Hero.
The Master category also promises fireworks. Two-time defending champion Juul Van Loon is chasing a rare triple, but legends like Karl Platt — six-time Cape Epic winner — and former road pro Oscar Pujol are here to make sure it doesn’t come easy.
WOMEN’S RACE WIDE OPEN — AND FULL OF VARIABLES
With no reigning champion on the start list, the women’s race is up for grabs. Lola Bakker, third last year, returns with unfinished business, though her season has been complicated by injuries. American Syd Schulz, Dutch road convert Linda Van Vliet, and the ever-consistent Elena Novikova are among those with podium potential. What’s certain is that no single name dominates the start sheet — and that sets the stage for one of the most unpredictable editions yet.
VIDICIATICO WELCOMES THE RIDERS
The first chapter of Appenninica 2025 unfolded today in Vidiciatico, where riders gathered for accreditation and the official presentation. Local authorities — including Lizzano in Belvedere’s Mayor Barbara Franchi and Corno alle Scale Park President Tiberio Rabboni — welcomed the field under the warm Apennine sun, with President of the Emilia-Romagna’s Italian Olympic Commitee Andrea Dondi.
Andrea Dondi (President of Emilia-Romagna’s Italian Olympic Committee): “Appenninica is a remarkable showcase for our region. Tourism, fine food, and sport make the perfect blend, and Emilia-Romagna’s sporting community proudly supports this race, wishing all the athletes the very best.”
Barbara Franchi (Mayor of Lizzano in Belvedere): “We are thrilled to welcome the Appenninica MTB Stage Race back to our town, and I wish all the athletes an unforgettable week in our beautiful territory.”
Tiberio Rabboni (President of the Corno alle Scale Regional Park): “Cycling is a sport that aligns with the values of biodiversity and environmental respect. We are pleased to host such an internationally recognized event in our Park and hope all athletes will discover, appreciate, and fall in love with our land.”
Now, the countdown is over. The adventure begins. Five stages. Big climbs. Tight margins. Real mountain biking.