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

Just days after crossing the final finish line in Porretta Terme, with Diego Arias and Lola Bakker claiming overall victories, the team at ASD Happy Trail MTB is already shifting focus to the 2026 edition. The dates – officially announced during the closing ceremony – confirm Appenninica’s slot on the international MTB calendar.

Five intense days riding the rugged trails of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines once again left their mark on riders, who praised the mix of scenic beauty, technical challenge, and genuine atmosphere that define the race.

“The 2025 course earned high marks from every rider on the start list – that’s the strongest validation we could ask for,” said organizers Milena Bettocchi and Beppe Salerno. “These were five days of authentic mountain biking, set against a backdrop of camaraderie, good vibes, and world-class trails. That’s the core of Appenninica, and what we’ll keep building on.

Registration for the 2026 edition opens Wednesday, July 2nd, with a limited batch of 40 Early Bird entries available at €990. Once those are claimed, prices will increase.

True to its full-service approach, Appenninica offers riders more than just race access – entry includes accommodation, meals, feed zones, medical support, daily bike wash, and all stage-to-stage transfers. Complete details are available at https://appenninica-mtb.com/en/register-2/

As always, the race will be capped at 150 participants – a deliberate decision by organizers to preserve the race’s intimate feel, ensure top-level organization, and protect the region’s pristine trails. Though a solo format, the experience creates a sense of community that goes well beyond the finish line – from the first breakfast to the final dinner, shared moments are part of the Appenninica DNA.

Appenninica 2026: the partners behind the race

The Emilia-Romagna’s stage race confirms a comprehensive partner ecosystem, positioning the event as a flagship platform for regional excellence and outdoor tourism. The 2026 edition will take place from June 22 to 26

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Cacchi returns to Appenninica, ready to surprise again

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Riders bulletin n.4 2026

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Syd&Macky: when Appenninica becomes a family affair

The Appenninica MTB Stage Race has become renowned not merely as a racing experience, but as a family journey. This year, American Syd Schulz brings her entire clan to the Emilia-Romagna Apennines – her husband Macky Franklin as a fellow competitor, and her...

Bakker vs Schulz – and much more: Appenninica braces for women’s showdown

June 22–26 marks the return of the rivalry that electrified last year’s MTB stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines. But behind the two favorites, a growing roster of ambitious outsiders is thinking big

Riders bulletin n.3 2026

Riders bulletin n.3 June 8th, 2026   If you’ve received this email, you are probably registered for the VIII edition of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, which will be held from June 22nd to June 26th. We are 14 days out. You can now read the 2026 Rider...

Spica and Saitta return to Appenninica chasing first-ever Italian GC victory

After making themselves the standout story of the 2025 edition, the two Sicilians coached by former professional Paolo Alberati are back on the Emilia-Romagna Apennines from June 22nd to 26th. “We’re aiming for victory,” announces the Team Rolling Bike duo

Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2026 set for a record-breaking eighth edition

Nearly 200 riders from 30 Countries will tackle Italy’s premier MTB stage race from June 22-26. Lizzano in Belvedere, Riolunato and Castelnovo ne’ Monti will host the eighth edition, presented today at the Emilia-Romagna Region headquarters in Bologna. “Appenninica is a major opportunity to tell the story of Emilia-Romagna through its landscapes, nature and local communities,” says Regional Sports and Tourism Minister Roberta Frisoni

Race today, itinerary tomorrow: how Appenninica MTB is opening Emilia-Romagna’s undiscovered Apennines to global cyclo-tourism

The Emilia-Romagna Apennines are betting on summer outdoor tourism to breathe new life into local economies and counter depopulation. Appenninica MTB Stage Race (June 22–26, 2026) is already pulling in foreign tour operators, with a German agency set to follow in the tracks of a Polish group that made the trip in 2025.

Appenninica 2026 reaches capacity four months ahead

With just over four months to go until the opening stage of Appenninica MTB Stage Race, ASD Happy Trail MTB already has a significant achievement to celebrate: the maximum number of participants for the 2026 edition has been reached – and slightly exceeded –...

From Corno alle Scale to Bismantova Rock: the Appenninica 2026 route revealed

From June 22–26, 2026, the Emilia-Romagna Apennines will take center stage over 310 km and 11,000 meters of total climbing. The race villages of Lizzano in Belvedere, Riolunato, and the grand finale in Castelnovo ne’ Monti are confirmed