The Appenninica MTB Stage Race concluded today, September 7th, capping off a week brimming with emotion, physical challenges, Italian hospitality, and newfound friendships. The 400 km and 13,000 m of elevation gain from Bologna to Castelnovo ne’ Monti left a deep mark on the 125 riders at the start.

From 20-year-old German Peat Weinberg to 68-year-old Polish rider Piotr Sozansky, from overall winner Hans Becking to Canada’s Warren Poon, forced off the bike due to an early injury but back riding in the rear of the peloton at the end of the week, the Emilia-Romagna Apennines fulfilled and went beyond athletes’ expectations. And that’s a major accomplishment, given the 24 countries represented.

Day after day, from the majestic Bologna to the highest peaks of the Apennines, the bunch gave full praise to the race organized by A.S.D. Happy Trail MTB, to its familiar atmosphere and the quality of the routes.

“Appenninica is like a great family, every year you ride on wonderful trails and among great people from every corner of the world,” said US rider Nate Rex, at his second participation. “Wonderful views, technical trails and friendly atmosphere: that’s why I keep coming back,” echoed Northern Ireland’s Clive Caldwell, third-time finisher and thus new member of the “Hall of Family.”

Together with Caldwell, this special “Hall of Family” award went as well to Hans Becking, Federico Arcidiacono, Tobias Guggemos, Deer Jan Van Putten, Adam Batuna, Dick Van Loon, Emiliano Amalberti, Matts Asplund, Andreas Derblom, Francesco Gaffuri and Toby Leyland.

In the final stage, 58 km and 1,600 m elevation gain around Castelnovo ne’ Monti and its iconic Bismantova Rock, the win went to Italian Luca Cacchi (2:32:43), the first rider to earn the finisher’s medal. Behind him, fellow countryman Federico Mandelli (54″ behind) and GC winner Hans Becking (1’07”). In the women’s category, Nina Brenn (3:14:34) took all stages, like Esther Süss and Naima Diesner.

BACK TO… BECKING: SECOND CONSECUTIVE TITLE FOR THE DUTCH CHAMPION

Hans Becking, at 38, etched his name deeper into Appenninica’s history books. After becoming in 2023 the first male rider to win twice the race on the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, the Dutchman is now the only athlete to triumph three times: 2020, 2023 and 2024.

“It’s always nice to race at Appenninica: the trails, the atmosphere and the people make it a great event. I had a lot of fun competing with these young guys!” said Becking on the finish line in Castelnovo ne’ Monti.

The Dutchman, national Cross-Country Marathon champion, completed the 400 km and 13,000 m of elevation gain in 16:56:11. Silver medal went to home rider and today’s stage winner Luca Cacchi, just 12’23” behind, while Germany’s Peat Weinberg took third place with a gap of 20:51.

“It was my last chance after several days on the podium,” said Cacchi at the end. “We gave it all, Hans was really fast in the flat section but I managed to take over in the very final part and get my first win at Appenninica.“

This edition’s unofficial ‘Rising Star’ is undoubtedly Peat Weinberg, the peloton’s sole teenager who turns 20 in October. The achievements of the German athlete at Appenninica include a stage win, the overall bronze medal and a new level of self-confidence.

The Masters‘ category saw another Dutch triumph, with Juul Van Loon securing his second consecutive win. Van Loon matched Miguel Martinez‘s feat of three stage victories. However, Van Loon kept the race under control and put a gap of 17:56 on the French, former XC Olympic champion. Third place in the GC for Sebastian Jenschatz, 42:50 behind the winner.

Francesco Gaffuri, after two years as runner-up, finally went the distance in the Grand Masters‘ category, clinching the overall victory. The Italian got ahead of fellow countryman Emiliano Amalberti by over one and a half hours, while Francis Sevenoo outplaced Erik Vrang in the last day and earned the bronze.

The Great Grand Masters podium reflected the race’s international flavor, with Austria’s Maximilian Zdouc claiming his second consecutive title. Silver medal for Poland’s Piotr Sozanski, the most experienced rider of the peloton, and Netherlands’ Erik Van den Boogert.

BRENN DOMINATION IN THE WOMEN’S CATEGORY

Nina Brenn‘s trajectory at Appenninica has been nothing short of meteoric. After securing bronze in 2023, she returned this year to dominate the race, clinching victory in every single stage. Not only did she win the General Classification, but she also took all six stages from Bologna to Castelnovo ne’ Monti, with a total time of 22:39:40. Thanks to this feat, Nina Brenn joins another Swiss rider, Esther Süss, and Germany’s Naima Diesner, among the only athletes to take all the stages in a single edition.

Rounding up the podium are Spain’s Ada Xinxó Morera, silver medal with a gap of 9:59, and Netherlands’ Lola Bakker. The youngest female rider of the bunch, just 22 years old, finished in third place, 14:05 behind the leader.

“This win wasn’t planned,” commented a smiling Nina Brenn on the finish line. “I’m glad I enjoyed the journey and had fun along the way.“

THE ORGANIZATION’S POINT OF VIEW

The sixth edition of Appenninica MTB Stage Race got nothing but full appreciation from the peloton. Thus, the great satisfaction of the organizers Milena Bettocchi and Beppe Salerno of A.S.D. Happy Trail MTB: “Starting from Bologna was a major highlight for us, and enhanced our idea of a journey from the city to the Apennines, involving the entire region,” said the organizers.

“We’re thrilled that Appenninica has become more than just a race—it’s an adventure that allows riders from across the globe to explore our region, experience our trails, and immerse themselves in the local culture. Most of them are coming back year after year, and they share their experience with fellow bikers, friends and families. That’s how we can promote the Emilia-Romagna Apennines on the international scenario, and we will keep working in this direction.“

As the dust settles on this year’s event, anticipation is already building for the next challenging and exciting Appenninica MTB Stage Race.

The highly anticipated Mountain Queen Stage delivered a clear outcome: “Experience” emerged as the defining factor in this edition of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race. The knowledge of accomplished riders such as Hans Becking and Nina Brenn was pivotal in managing the 86 km and 2,850 m of elevation gain from Fiumalbo to Castelnovo ne’ Monti, especially on the penultimate day of a six-day stage race.

Anticipation for the Queen Stage intensified due to uncertain weather forecasts, with the possibility of low temperatures and showers along the Apennine ridges. These conditions could have added an unpredictable element to the race, which had been firmly controlled by the Dutch and Swiss riders so far.

Despite concerns, weather conditions turned out favorable. Nina Brenn remained unfazed, securing her fifth consecutive stage win. Ada Xinxó Morera finished second, 2:16 behind in Castelnovo ne’ Monti, while Lola Bakker came in third with a gap of 5:15. The same order holds in the General Classification.

“I’m really having a fun time racing at Appenninica. Compared to the Swiss Epic or the Cape Epic, it is more familiar and the landscapes are wonderful. I’ve become friends with Ada (Xinxó Morera, ed), and it’s been a pleasure to share so many kilometers together. Today I had some issues with the bike, but in the end I’m happy I could take another win,” said the Swiss rider at the finish line.

If Nina Brenn wins again tomorrow, September 7th, on the 58 km course with 1,600 m of elevation gain around Castelnovo ne’ Monti, she could become the third woman to win every stage in a single edition. Before her, this feat has been achieved by fellow Swiss rider Esther Süss and by Germany’s Naima Madlen Diesner.

“Of course it’s nice to win, but that was not the main goal of this week. This is my second time at Appenninica (she got third overall in 2023, ed): I wanted to come back and I’m glad I’m fully enjoying it. Here, the experience is what matters the most,” concluded Brenn.

BECKING SEALS THE DEAL

Any lingering hopes for an upset in the title race were quickly dispelled during the Queen Stage. Reigning champion Hans Becking, drawing on his experience after recent second and third-place finishes, decisively pulled away from young challengers Cacchi and Weinberg.

The Dutch champion won in 4:15:01, after riding most of the stage side by side with Italian Luca Cacchi. At about km 50, before tackling one of the many climbs of the day, Becking dropped Cacchi and soloed to Castelnovo ne’ Monti.

“It was a great stage with excellent trails. The new single track section is really impressive; I thoroughly enjoyed it,” said the Buff-Megamo rider at the finish line.

Italy’s Cacchi suffered a gap of 3:21, while Germany’s Weinberg finished 5:23 behind. In the GC, Becking leads with 13:30 over Cacchi, and 16:16 over Weinberg. The final stage will decide the order on the podium for the silver and bronze places.

Although Miguel Martinez clinched his third stage win out of five in the Master’s category, he still trails leader Juul Van Loon by 14:09. The Dutchman appears poised to secure his second consecutive Appenninica MTB Stage Race victory. Among the Grand Masters, Italian Francesco Gaffuri can manage over an hour lead on fellow countryman Emiliano Amalberti, and he’s cruising towards his first overall win after being runner-up for two consecutive years. A similar situation exists in the Great Grand Masters, with Austrian rider Maximilian Zdouc going for back-to-back wins following last year’s triumph.

FINAL SHOWDOWN IN CASTELNOVO NE’ MONTI

The 2024 Appenninica MTB Stage Race concludes with a 58 km loop around Castelnovo ne’ Monti, featuring 1,600 m of elevation gain. The route begins at the local headquarters of the Italian National Olympic Committee and circles the iconic Bismantova Rock.

Among the highlights of this challenging route is the spot at Calamone Lake, which kicks off the final descents toward Castelnovo ne’ Monti and the much sought-after finisher’s medal.

In a stunning upset, the youngest participant in the sixth edition of Appenninica MTB Stage Race clinches victory in stage 4, outsprinting Cacchi and Becking in the final kilometer. Brenn continues her domination in the women’s field. Becking and Brenn maintain their overall leads heading into tomorrow’s gruelling Queen Stage

In the wake of yesterday’s storm and ominous weather forecasts for September 5th, the organizers of Appenninica MTB Stage Race had no choice but to activate their backup plan. The fourth stage was reduced from the original 55 km with 2050 m elevation gain to a more manageable 35 km with 1160 m of elevation gain, prioritizing rider safety. Despite these precautions, some athletes opted to sit out the potentially treacherous ride.

However, the rain proved less severe than anticipated, allowing the peloton to tackle a condensed but exhilarating course, starting and finishing in Fiumalbo. While many riders used the stage to spin their legs ahead of tomorrow’s Mountain Queen Stage, 20-year-old German Peat Weinberg of Team ISCHGL-SIMPLON seized the opportunity to go all out.

After chasing for most of the race, Weinberg launched a surprising attack in the final downhill, overtaking Italy’s Cacchi and the Netherlands’ Becking within the last kilometer. Despite a mid-race pause to retrieve his lost glasses, Weinberg crossed the finish line victorious in 1:37:10.

“This weather is ideal for me; I’m used to riding in the rain,” Weinberg exulted at the finish. “I struggled with the heat in the first few days, but today I felt great. When I spotted Cacchi and Becking in the distance, I gave it my all. I’m thrilled about my first win!”

Italian rider Luca Cacchi, who finished second, was visibly disappointed: “I thought I had it in the bag. This one’s hard to swallow.”

In the General Classification, Hans Becking maintains his lead, 10:09 ahead of Cacchi, while Weinberg sits in third, 10:53 back. With tomorrow’s Mountain Queen Stage looming, the battle for the Appenninica 2024 crown remains fiercer than ever.

In the Master’s category, former Olympic champion Miguel Martinez claimed the stage win, gaining valuable time on Dutch leader Juul Van Loon. Meanwhile, Francesco Gaffuri and Maximilian Zdouc look set to clinch the Grand Masters and Great Grand Masters titles, respectively.

BRENN’S DOMINANCE CONTINUES  

The women’s field continues to be Swiss rider Nina Brenn‘s playground, as she secured her fourth consecutive stage win. Brenn crossed the finish line in 2:08:32, with Dutch rider Lola Bakker 1:21 behind. Spain’s Ada Xinxó Morera rounded out the podium, mirroring the previous day’s results.

In the overall standings, Brenn seems poised for victory, while Xinxó Morera holds second place, though Bakker is steadily closing the gap.

MOUNTAIN QUEEN STAGE: THE ULTIMATE TESTS AWAITS

After today’s relatively light ride, stage 5 promises to push riders to their limits with a gruelling 86 km course and 2,850 m of elevation gain. The Mountain Queen Stage, running from Fiumalbo to the fan-favorite venue of Castelnovo ne’ Monti, will separate the contenders from the pretenders.

The stage opens with a relentless 20 km climb to some of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines‘ most spectacular ridges. After a brief respite to soak in the breathtaking vistas, riders face a technical descent to Ligonchio that demands unwavering focus. Two more ascents will challenge the athletes to metaphorically empty their tanks before the final descent into Castelnovo ne’ Monti.

This Queen Stage represents the final opportunity for riders to make their mark on the general classification, with the overall victory and podium places still up for grabs.

Federico Mandelli delivered on his promise today. Ahead of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, the 27-year-old Italian said that his focus was on stage 3, and he delivered. In a close duel with the General Classification leader Hans Becking, Mandelli held on and outsprinted the Dutchman on the final straight, winning in 3:17:39. This is the first success for the Italian, at his fourth consecutive participation at Appenninica.

“Everyone should experience Appenninica: this is mountain biking at its purest,” said Mandelli in his previous feature in the Italian stage race. And today, September 4th, along the 59 km and 2,600 m of elevation gain from Lizzano in Belvedere to Fiumalbo, it was nothing but pure MTB. The trails leading up and down from the Corno alle Scale first and to the Monte Cimone second tested the stamina and the driving skills of the peloton, even more in the second part of the race when the weather turned for the worst.

As soon as the race began, a select group including Mandelli, Becking, Weinberg, Cacchi, Miguel Martinez, and Juul Van Loon surged to the front, setting a blistering pace, well aware of the first ever Appenninica KOM. Former Olympic champion Miguel Martinez attacked first, Van Loon led the chase and closed the gap, before sprinting on the uphill and taking the Corno alle Scale KOM ahead of Luca Cacchi in the wonderful scenery of the Scaffaiolo Lake.

On the following descent, Mandelli and Becking raised the pace and left the bunch. The duo battled it out until the finish line, where the Italian of the Piraz Coaching Academy finally outsprinted Becking and raised his arms in Fiumalbo.

“I’m thrilled to have claimed my first Appenninica win. I knew this stage would be spectacular, both for its challenging route and breathtaking views,” said Mandelli at the finish line. “When you reach the top at the Corno alle Scale you just want to stop and enjoy the landscape: wow!“

“Now I remember why this is my favorite stage. The views are just amazing, the uphill is steep but downhill is fast and bumpy, I love it!” echoed Becking.

In the GC, Becking remains the leader, 10:12 ahead of Italian Luca Cacchi, who placed third today, and 11:01 ahead of Peat Weinberg. However, Mandelli has now the podium in sight, being only 7:14 behind with three stages to go.

BRENN TAMES THE RAIN, BAKKER BOUNCES BACK

Nina Brenn seems unstoppable, clinching her third consecutive victory in 4:38:41, finishing 8:15 ahead of Dutch rider Lola Bakker and 16:18 ahead of Spaniard Ada Xinxó Morera. Thanks to these results, and to the hard day for Portuguese Celina Carpinteiro, Bakker is now back on the GC podium behind Brenn and Xinxó Morera. However, with half of the race to go, anything can still happen.

Today, after leaving a sunny Vidiciatico, the weather turned for the worst in the second part of the stage: Brenn, the entire women’s peloton and many other athletes were still on the course and they had to fight with an extra, relentless, opponent.

The already challenging course became treacherous, with slick surfaces and severely reduced visibility. “It has been one of the hardest stages of my life,” said the experienced Celina Carpinteiro at the finish line. “In the first part we saw wonderful landscapes, then the rain hit and made it epic“.

STAGE 4 LOOPS AROUND FIUMALBO

A new addition in the 2023 edition, Fiumalbo will feature in no less than three stages in this year’s Appenninica. After hosting today’s finish line, the village in the Modena Apennines will be starting and ending point of tomorrow’s stage 4, before saluting the peloton on Friday for the Queen Stage leading to the final venue of Castelnovo ne’ Monti.

Stage 4 features a 55 km route with 1,950 m of elevation gain, tracing the historic Via Vandelli. The route will quickly cross the border between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany, before climbing to the Apennines’ peaks and descending again toward Fiumalbo.

After yesterday’s victory in Loiano, the finish line in Vidiciatico brought further confirmation: Hans Becking and Nina Brenn are the two athletes in best form at the start of this Appenninica MTB Stage Race.

Hans Becking won solo in Vidiciatico and strengthened his lead at Appenninica MTB Stage Race: the Dutchman took 3:14:03 to ride the 73 km and 2,550 m of elevation gain. Second place went to the youngest participant, 21-year-old German Peat Weinberg, with a gap of 2:41, new provisional silver in the GC ahead of Luca Cacchi. The Italian reached the finish line 7:32 behind Becking, partially due to a wrong turn on the route.

“I was in the lead with Federico (Mandelli, ed) but he got a flat tire and I kept going solo. Tomorrow’s stage will be a tough one, climbing the Corno alle Scale from the steepest side,” said Hans Becking at the finish line.

“It was a really hot day out there, but I loved the stage: uphills were not too steep, and the descents were fun and technical. Furthermore, I saw some great spots along the way!” commented Weinberg at the finish.

As in the men’s field, Swiss rider Nina Brenn increased her lead and was now 27:41 ahead of Spaniard Ada Xinxó Morera. Third place in Vidiciatico and in the GC went to Portuguese Celina Carpinteiro, with a gap of 37:05 from the leader.

“I’m having fun, more than expected!” said Ada Xinxó Morera at the finish line. “I got sick last week and I’m still struggling a bit with my stomach, but the race is going fine. Yesterday I loved the single track section, today we crossed such a beautiful castle (Rocca Mattei, ed). Let’s see what’s coming in the next days!”

FROM MASSACHUSETS TO THE APENNINES: THE STORY OF MATTHEW MOLLO

In the opening stage from Bologna to Loiano, the riders had taken off from the city and got a first glimpse of the Apennines. On Tuesday, September 3rd, Appenninica MTB Stage Race dived into the real Apennines and their wild nature along the 73 km and 2,550 m of elevation gain from Loiano to Vidiciatico, a hamlet of Lizzano in Belvedere.

Among the regular stage venues of the race, Vidiciatico is nestled in the heart of the Apennines, halfway between Modena and Bologna. Winding along the “Gothic Line“, where World War II was fought, the race filled the hearts and eyes of the peloton with medieval villages and breathtaking spots throughout the Apennines.

The 125 riders taking on this Italian adventure brought along racing and life stories from all around the world, like that of Matthew Mollo, 41 years old from Massachusetts, US. Mollo joined Appenninica MTB Stage Race for the first time in 2022 and got in touch with some local wine producers. Fast forward, Mollo – whose family boasts Italian legacy from the Calabria region – combined his two passions, cycling and wines, and made a business out of it.

“I came here in 2022, and I got the chance to meet some local wineries. Since then, I’m importing their prestigious wines to the US, but this might become something bigger. Life overseas is too frenetic and together with my wife we are thinking about moving to Italy. We already own a place in Umbria (about 200 km South from Bologna, ed) and the slower everyday life fits us better. Let’s see what the future holds for us!“

The passion and warm welcome of the Apennines had clearly made an impact once again. And that’s exactly what this journey of 400 km and 13,000 m of elevation gain was aiming for.

STAGE 3: FROM LIZZANO TO FIUMALBO ON THE APENNINES RIDGES

Tomorrow, September 4th, the “Monte Cimone Challenge XL” will be a major test for those who still dream of a prestigious outcome in the GC. Two climbs to the highest peaks of the Apennines, the Corno alle Scale first and the Monte Cimone second, can’t be underestimated.

The 59 km and 2600 m elevation gain route will kick off from Vidiciatico and head towards the Scaffaiolo Lake, hosting for the first time a KOM halfway through the stage. After the first ascent, a technical single track downhill awaits the riders before climbing again towards the Monte Cimone. The last part flows on a slight descent towards the medieval town of Fiumalbo, featuring for the second consecutive year as an Appenninica stage venue.