IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!
MODIFICATIONS TO THE RACE COURSE OF APPENNINICA MTB PARMIGIANO REGGIANO STAGE RACE
Due to the bad weather in May, the organization of the race decided to ensure maximum enjoyment and above all maximum safety for the participants to modify the routes of Stage 5 and Stage 6.
The route of the Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race is inspired by the Alta Via dei Parchi trail (a hiking itinerary of over 500 km) and in particular by its MTB version designed by the Club Alpino Italiano.
The main idea is to follow the watershed of the Italian peninsula, the spectacular ridge between Emilia Romagna and Tuscany, and the organizers’ main objective was to create a tough but safe race, and above all with very few portage sections.
Unfortunately, sometimes nature reminds us of who really commands on this Earth and then we men are forced to change our plans.
During the last year, various reconnaissance and checks were carried out, the last in April 2019 and everything seemed perfectly rideable, the winter had left the trails ready for Appenninica MTB riders.
But… the unusual wave of bad weather that, with very strong winds, storms and even snow at low altitudes, hit North Italy and the area of the Apennines in May saw the fall of many large trees on part of the route of the Apennines MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race and landslides of some sections of the trail.
Photo: Il Resto del Carlino
Following these events, to put the participants in total safety, but also to allow the forests of the Apennines to regain their natural state, the organizing committee made the difficult decision to MODIFY THE STAGE 5 (Alto Reno Terme – Castel del Rio) and THE STAGE 6 (Castel del Rio – Bagno di Romagna).
Race Course
The two stages of the race will be replaced by the following variations both for Appenninica 7 and Appenninica 4.
- Until stage 4 everything remains unchanged.
- Stage 5: Santa Sofia – Santa Sofia (FC) – Loop route on Santa Sofia after a bus transfer from Porretta Terme (about 2h15′).
- Stage 6: Santa Sofia – Bagno di Romagna (FC) – the Queen stage will be shortened, but mind that you will not miss the climbs and amazing panoramas!
The variation of the stages does not affect the spectacular nature of the route. Stage 6 in its new route will cross one of the most iconic places in the Apennines, the Lama Forest. In the heart of the Casentino Forest National Park, Monte Falterona and Campigna: a large forest at the foot of Monte Penna and the Apennine bastion. A place that can only be accessed by mountain bike following a long forest track on the old route of a decauville railway that at the beginning of the last century was used to transport lumber.
Logistics
The Race Village will no longer be located in Castel del Rio (BO), but in Santa Sofia (FC), which the organization thanks for having given the go-ahead to host the race in record time. We also want to thank the town of Castel del Rio (BO), a beautiful village, for the passion shown towards the Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race. With great regret, we move the race village, but for the safety of the bikers, this is the best choice.
If you have made your reservations for your stay in Castel del Rio, please cancel or contact the organization immediately.
For the new mileage of the 2 modified stages, we refer you to future communications. The organization of the Apennines MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race plans to publish the new GPS tracks by June 30, 2019.