Appenninica MTB 2025 awaits a new queen

Who will be crowned the new queen of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race? In 2024, Swiss rider Nina Brenn ruled the Elite Women’s field. This year, from June 23 to 27, the race through the rugged terrain of Emilia-Romagna promises one of the most open and unpredictable editions yet.

 

The rider tipped as the early favourite is Dutch talent Lola Bakker. After finishing third last year, the KMC Mountainbike Team rider returns for her third Appenninica, having recently secured second place at the Bike Marathon in Willingen, Germany, behind Belgian champion Julia Grégoire.

 

Among the Netherlands’ field, keep an eye on Linda Van Vliet — a former professional road cyclist who placed fourth at the 2021 4 Islands MTB — as well as the Loomans sisters, Janneke and Jeltje, who round out the “orange” presence.

Ukraine’s Elena Novikova, who narrowly missed the podium in 2022 and has extensive experience in endurance MTB, could spring a surprise. So too could Syd Schulz – well known from the US-based YouTube channel Syd and Macky – who impressed with a runner-up finish at the Volcanic Epic in New Zealand earlier this year.

From South America, Argentina’s Betiana Iglesias Canay returns after her 2023 appearance, while all eyes will be on Uruguayan Syomara Facchin, who has shown strong domestic form, and Peru’s Gina Torres, eager to make her mark.

Also returning is Germany’s Regina Marunde, a veteran of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, who will find a familiar face in Miguel Martinez, another Olympian racing this year’s edition.

Adding to the international flair are Spain’s Gemma Rossell – a 2024 finisher of the grueling Titan Desert in Morocco – and fellow Spaniard Maria Lopez de Arméntia, both of whom boast a strong social media following and are set to inspire on and off the bike.

It will be a contest of legs, tactics, and courage – with the crown of Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2025 up for grabs.

Appenninica MTB locks in 2026 dates: five days of racing from June 22nd to 26th

Fresh off the 2025 edition, Appenninica MTB Stage Race is already looking ahead. The next chapter of the Italian stage race will take place from June 22nd to 26th, 2026, keeping its five-stage format. Early Bird entries go live on July 2nd

Arias and Bakker crowned champions of Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2025

Colombian Diego Arias secures his second overall title after 2022, while Dutch rider Lola Bakker prevails in the women’s race after a week-long battle with Syd Schulz. Spica wins final stage and climbs to third overall.

Bakker delivers standout Queen Stage performance

Another dramatic turnaround in the women’s race as Lola Bakker claims her third stage win, building a commanding advantage

Arias moves closer to Appenninica 2025 victory

Diego Arias wins High Mountain Queen Stage, extending his lead in Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2025. Saitta remains second, with Massimo Rosa taking third on the day.

Bakker rebounds, Schulz stays calm

Lola Bakker responds after Tuesday’s setback, while Syd Schulz manages to limit the damage

Candeago bounce back in Riolunato

Third different winner in as many stages at Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2025: Andrea Candeago claims victory in Riolunato, outsprinting Vincenzo Saitta and teammate Diego Arias to secure the win that eluded him in Vidiciatico.

Schulz seizes the Pink Jersey

In the women’s race, Syd Schulz snatches the leader’s jersey from Lola Bakker

Saitta triumphs in Vidiciatico as Arias holds firm

After a strong debut, Sicilian rider Vincenzo Saitta wins Stage 2 of Appenninica, outsprinting Diego Arias and Andrea Candeago in Vidiciatico

Arias strikes first at Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2025

Diego Arias drops Saitta, and finishes ahead of Becking and the Italian

Bakker powers clear, Schulz hangs tough

Lola Bakker edges Schulz in a heated women’s contest

Appenninica 2025 kicks off: five days of pure MTB

Tomorrow, Monday June 23rd, the 2025 edition of Appenninica MTB Stage Race kicks off from Lizzano in Belvedere. Through Friday June 27th, 117 riders will battle across 315 kilometers and nearly 12,000 meters of elevation gain. Hans Becking and Diego Arias are the men to watch, while the women’s field is wide open with no clear favorite.

Twenty-Two Nations line up for Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2025

From June 23-27, the Emilia-Romagna Apennines will collect the attention of international MTB lovers with 118 participants from 22 different Countries. The Netherlands and Italy lead the field, while South America is getting more represented year after year