For the second year in a row, Lizzano in Belvedere will proclaim the new winners of Appenninica MTB Stage Race. The hamlet of Vidiciatico, within the Lizzano municipality, nestled in the Province of Bologna Apennines, will host the last two finishes of the 2023 edition (September 4-9).

The stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines will reach Lizzano in Belvedere on Friday, September 8th, with the finish of the Appenninica Distilled stage, starting from Fanano. The following day, Saturday, September 9, stage 6 will take place on a circuit with start and finish in Vidiciatico, a stage venue that had collected great appreciation from the riders already last year.                                     

The penultimate effort of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023 journey, Appenninica Distilled measures 61 km with 2,500 meters of elevation gain and is a perfect concentration of spectacular ridges, technical trails, breathtaking views and historic villages. After starting in Fanano, a long ascent will take athletes over the Colombino Pass and then to the hamlet of Ospitale through a downhill single track. A new climb will bring the challenge back to altitude towards the  Croce Arcana Pass, riding near Lake Scaffaiolo first and then Lake Patrignano. The finale is uphill again, after crossing the Dardagna stream.

For the last act, the organizers reproposed the “Monte Pizzo,” a 36-kilometre stage with a total elevation gain of 1,500 meters that was already the final difficulty last year. Starting and finishing in Vidiciatico, the stage will take place entirely in the Monte Pizzo bike park, with a loop to be covered one and a half times. Athletes will tackle the climbs on forest roads and then enjoy the descents on the “Ca Lenzi” and “Albarè” trails.

“Being the finishing town of Appenninica MTB Stage Race again fills us with pride,” said Sergio Polomari, Mayor of Lizzano in Belvedere. “This event has already won the affection of this town and its citizens, and we feel grateful to all those to put in a remarkable effort to make this outstanding race possible.”

LIZZANO IN BELVEDERE, THE HOME OF ENZO BIAGI

Lizzano in Belvedere is a town in the Province of Bologna at the foot of Corno alle Scale, included in the homonymous Natural Park. From the summit of Corno alle Scale, at an altitude of 1945 meters above sea level, it is possible to enjoy a majestic view that embraces the Alps to the north and the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas to the east and west. A place of peace and meditation is the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell’Acero, with its monumental trees and the silence of nature.

Born in Lizzano in Belvedere was the well-known journalist Enzo Biagi, the face of Rai 1 from 1995 to 2002 with his “Il Fatto.” But also linked to the town is the ski champion Alberto Tomba, who used to train in the Corno alle Scale ski area, where he built his greatest successes, creating alchemy with this magical territory.

Some places smell like home, where every time you return you feel like you had never left. For Appenninica MTB Stage Race, Fanano is one of those places, the only stage venue, along with Castelnovo ne’ Monti, to have featured in all the race’s five editions so far. The stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines will pay a visit to the town in the Province of Modena again in 2023, when it will take place from September 4th to 9th. 

A renowned tourist resort on the slopes of the Mount Cimone, Fanano will host the finish of the fourth stage on Thursday, September 7, running entirely through the Province of Modena from the start in Fiumalbo. The following Friday, September 8th, the fifth stage will start from Fanano, with finish in Lizzano in Belvedere.

The 62-kilometre Cimone Challenge stage, with a total elevation gain of 2350 meters, will be centered on the Mount Cimone and its ski area. After the start from Fiumalbo, the athletes will face the climb up to Pian Cavallaro and then descend to the town of Montecreto, passing by the picturesque Lake Ninfa through the paths of the Cimone bike park. The second ascent of the day will start instead from Sestola to reach Passo Serre before throwing in a long single track towards Fanano. After a first passage through the village, it will climb to Fellicarolo and enjoy a technical trail back to the finish.

On Friday, September 8th, the Appenninica Distilled stage of 61 km and 2,500 meters of elevation gain will also start from Fanano. Arriving in Vidiciatico, a hamlet of Lizzano in Belvedere, the stage perfectly concentrates Appenninica MTB Stage Race, including spectacular ridges, technical trails, dizzying views and villages standing still in time. There are two climbs of the day: the Passo del Colombino and the one leading to the Passo Croce Arcana ridge.

“We have believed in Appenninica MTB Stage Race from the very first minute. It is an event growing yearly, and that speaks many languages, giving global exposure to Fanano, Cimone and the Apennines. It is the only mountain bike event we host in Fanano and we want to support it for its excellent organization and ability to promote our area throughout the year”, says Fanano Mayor Stefano Muzzarelli.

FANANO, THE HOME OF FELICE PEDRONI

Fanano is a well-known tourist resort in the Modena Apennines, in the Mount Cimone ski area. Over the years, outdoor activities have been developed in the area in addition to winter sports, such as trekking, hiking and mountain in the warmer months. Awarded the Orange Flag for its sustainable tourism by the Italian Touring Club since 2001, the town is also rich in history and culture, with the Pieve di San Silvestro and the Church of San Giuseppe that are well worth a visit.

However, Fanano’s name is also associated with gold prospector Felice Pedroni, who made his fortune in Alaska by finding the largest gold deposit in the area. There he founded the town of Fairbanks, where most of the townspeople were dedicated to prospecting for gold.