Appenninica’s colour is Orange: Smeenge and Becking the stars of stage 4

The Dutch domination continues at Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023: the Orange patrol keeps raking both in the GC and in the single stage finishes. Out if its 33 riders in the race (the Netherlands are the most represented Country at Appenninica 2023), it was Tim Smeenge to take the win today, September 7thfrom Fiumalbo to Fanano. The Dutch MTB Marathon National Champion sprinted over GC leader Hans Becking, who managed to extend his lead on his closest rival, Tiago Ferreira.

On the 59 km with 2350 m of elevation gain of the “Cimone Challenge”, winding through the ski area of Mount Cimone, the Dutch duo arrived together in the heart of Fanano. Smeenge started to push from the very beginning followed by Tiago Ferreira, while Becking chose not to elevate his pace and kept going with his own rhythm. With the kilometers going by, the Portuguese of DMT Racing Team lost track of Smeenge, while Becking made his way back and finished together with Smeenge.

On the finish line in Fanano, Smeenge stopped the time in 2:58:01, right in front of the Buff-Megamo Team rider, while Ferreira reported a 7:19 gap. Rounding out the top 5 were Felix Fritzsch and Bart Classens. In the General Classification, Becking extended his lead to 9:38 over Ferreira, with Smeenge solid third (25:44) over Bart Classens (38:41) and Lukas Kaufmann (42:43).

I’m very satisfied with my race and my day: it was nice to win and to extend the gap over Bart Classens, to secure the third place. I felt great from the beginning, and after the first climb I already had some cushion. I kept going with my pace until the second descent, when Becking got back and we rode together until the finish line”, said Smeenge on the finish line.

DEBORA PIANA MAKES THE HAT-TRICK

Debora Piana of Team Cingolani-Specialized takes the third consecutive win at Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023. The Italian took off in the first kilometres of stage 4 and on the first climb went already out of reach for all her opponents. Behind her were once again Russian Kristina Ilina and Swiss Nina Brenn.

It took 3:49:01 for Debora Piana to complete the stage from Fiumalbo to Fanano: in the GC, the lead is now of 42:37 on Ilina, and of over two hours on Nina Brenn.

I was in the front in no time, and this has allowed me to control the pace for the rest of the stage. I’m now in a great position: I think I can manage my gap on the second place without taking unnecessary risks in the last two stages”, commented Piana in Fanano.

“APPENNINICA DISTILLED” TO KEEP THE GAMES OPEN

 

The penultimate stage of Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023 will be held tomorrow, September 8th, over 61 km and 2500 m of elevation gain from Fanano to Vidiciatico, hamlet of Lizzano in Belvedere. “Appenninica Distilled” combines technical and fun trails, probably the last chance to keep the race open for the GC. The Colombino Pass and the Croce Arcana Pass are the two climbs of the day, followed by single track downhills in the Corno alle Scale area, are the most challenging traits of stage 5.

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