The mention of Bismantova Rock immediately brings to mind the Appenninica MTB Stage Race. The places that were once fiefdoms of Matilda of Canossa serve as the home territory for this mountain bike stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines. Castelnovo ne’ Monti has hosted at least one stage of Appenninica every year and is now preparing to hold the 2023 edition, scheduled for September 4-9, 2023.

This town in the Reggio Emilia province, made famous by the Bismantova Rock that inspired Dante’s Purgatory, will host the preliminary operations of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023, starting on Sunday, September 3rd, with the arrival of the athletes. Also on that date, there will be Appenninica Lovers, a meeting open to all and dedicated to amateur cyclists on the route of the first stage race.

The official start is scheduled for Monday, September 4, with an opening loop stage covering 57 kilometers and featuring 1900 meters of total elevation gain. La Matildica is a deceptively challenging section with long climbs and highly technical descents. The athletes will face a downhill single trail to cross the Tresinaro River before climbing towards Carpinete Castle. The striking passage under the iconic Bismantova Rock will precede the athletes’ return to Castelnovo ne’ Monti.

Finding the right rhythm with Appenninica will be crucial because, on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, the extremely demanding Mountain Queen Stage is scheduled. Covering 89 kilometers and featuring 3250 meters of elevation gain, this stage will start from Castelnovo ne’ Monti and reach Fiumalbo, offering breathtaking views and a route mostly above 1500 meters of altitude. The route will include challenging sections such as the Cisa Pass, the Mount Cusna area, and the Radici Pass before reaching Pievepelago via a single track.

“Castelnovo ne’ Monti welcomes the Appenninica MTB Race again this year with great pleasure. Among the many sporting events that we will host in the summer as a ‘town for sport,’ Appenninica holds great importance due to its international dimension, and mountain biking has experienced exponential growth in recent years. There are numerous fans who ride our roads and trails, appreciating and enhancing our territory and its environmental quality,” says Enrico Bini, the mayor of Castelnovo ne’ Monti.

CASTELNOVO NE’ MONTI, IN THE SHADOW OF THE BISMANTOVA ROCK

Castelnovo ne’ Monti and the surrounding territories are rich in history and magic, starting with the Bismantova Rock. According to tradition, this rock inspired Dante’s Purgatory during the poet’s stay in 1306, as mentioned in Canto IV of the Divine Comedy’s Purgatory. The Castelnovo area also boasts several fortresses and castles that were once part of the reign of Matilda of Canossa between 1000 and 1100 AD.

The medieval town’s historical center is definitely worth a visit. It has been renovated in recent years, offering truly characteristic views. One of these views is the Palazzo Ducale, located amidst the green gardens of Bagnolo. Built by the Este family as a symbol of their domination over the territory, it now serves as Castelnovo’s City Hall.

In a race as long, demanding, and stressful as the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, the details make the difference. From the choice of tires to nutrition, and through the ability to manage energy, bike maintenance has no secondary value. Therefore, cleaning the bike is paramount at the end of each stage.

In the 2023 edition of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, Lavor, an Italian company based in Pegognaga, will offer the Bike Wash service as one of the leading manufacturers of high-pressure cleaning machines. As a valuable Supplier Sponsor of the event scheduled from September 4 to 9, Lavor will ensure perfect bike cleaning and maintenance day by day.

Founded in 1975, Lavor is among the leading players in the worldwide cleaning industry, specializing in producing hot and cold-water pressure washers, vacuum cleaners, steam generators, and Floor Care products. The company is part of the Comet Group, based in Emilia-Romagna, and operates in more than 130 Countries worldwide with a team of 750 people.

The partnership with Appenninica MTB Stage Race marks Lavor’s first time in mountain biking, but not in sports. The Italian company is also a premium partner of the LCR Honda MotoGP team and a sponsor of the Desert Endurance Motorsport team, which took part in the Dakar Classic in 2023.

“We are very excited to welcome Lavor to the Appenninica MTB Stage Race family. Thanks to them, we cover an important aspect of a stage race like ours: bike cleaning. We are happy to bring them closer to the world of mountain biking and to provide our athletes with state-of-the-art, modern machinery for cleaning mud and dirt,” say Milena Bettocchi and Beppe Salerno, co-organizers of Appenninica MTB Stage Race.

“The Lavor brand has always been linked to the world of sports because there are many similarities between the values of sports and Lavor’s world: dynamism, the strive for constant improvement, teamwork to achieve goals, to name a few. In addition, our products are a perfect for cleaning sports tools as well as venues. Therefore, athletes are a key target audience for us: these are some of the reasons that led us to approach the world of MTB, an adrenaline sport for true sports lovers, in which our products can be of great help in always keeping the bike clean and ready for use,” says Dante Rossetti, Lavor’s marketing manager.

Faenza-born athlete Martino Tronconi and Nicola Taffarel from the Cannondale MTB Professional Team will be participating in the Appenninica MTB Stage Race (September 4-9, 2023) for the first time, aiming to make their mark by focusing on stage victories while also keeping an eye on the overall standings

After years of anticipation, the time has finally come. Martino Tronconi and the Appenninica MTB Stage Race have been acquainted since 2020, but the athlete’s scheduling conflicts had prevented him from participating in the stage race located so close to his home in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines. However, 2023 presents the perfect opportunity for Tronconi to embark on this adventure, not only as an athlete but also as the Team Manager of the newly formed Cannondale MTB Professional Team.

From September 4 to 9, 2023, Martino Tronconi, alongside Nicola Taffarel, will show up at Appenninica MTB Stage Race with the ambition to challenge their competitors every step of the way.

“The Appenninica MTB Stage Race has always enticed me, partly due to its proximity to my home, but mainly because previous participants have spoken highly of its organization and the stunning route. After a long pursuit, we have finally secured our presence this year,” says the Team Manager of the Cannondale MTB Professional Team.

Tronconi and Taffarel certainly won’t be mere bystanders but will look to make their mark on the race, which covers 400 km and boasts a total elevation gain of 14,000 meters across six stages.

“Our minimum goal is to secure a stage victory. After the initial 2-3 stages, we will assess our position in the general classification and, if favorable, aim for a prestigious placement,” expresses a determined Martino Tronconi.

The duo from the Cannondale MTB Professional Team possesses the ideal blend of experience and a hunger for success. Previously, 27-year-old Martino Tronconi has performed admirably in similar races, achieving third place at the Swiss Epic 2022 alongside Dario Cherchi and third place at the Andorra MTB Classic 2021 with Johnny Cattaneo.

“The Appenninica MTB Stage Race’s route is one of the most challenging in the world of stage races, particularly due to the unique demands of tackling altitude differences in the Apennines compared to the Alps or Dolomites, making the stages significantly more demanding. I believe that reigning champion Diego Arias will be the athlete to beat. On cards, he has something extra, but we will strive to make it difficult for him, working together as a team,” analyzes Tronconi.

The team will approach the Appenninica MTB Stage Race as an opportunity to fine-tune their condition for the end of the season. After the World Championships in Glasgow, in which they hope to participate in the Italian national team jersey, Tronconi and Taffarel will resume training in mid-August and arrive at the start line in Castelnovo ne’ Monti after the Kronplatz King Marathon.

“Appenninica MTB Stage Race will be a significant fixture in our second half of the season, providing valuable preparation for our upcoming competitions. I believe that tackling a race like this individually, rather than as a duo, brings about substantial tactical changes, with different race dynamics that we must smartly exploit,” explains the Team Manager of the Cannondale MTB Professional Team.

Undoubtedly, after years of anticipation, Martino Tronconi will give his all to ensure that his encounter with the Appenninica MTB Stage Race becomes an unforgettable one.

Enervit has been confirmed as the Official Nutrition Partner of Appenninica MTB Stage Race, set to take place from September 4-9, 2023. The race organization will donate a portion of the registration fees to support the people of Emilia-Romagna who have been affected by the recent floods.

The Appenninica MTB Stage Race family is expanding, and it is thrilled to welcome an esteemed partner from the sports nutrition industry. For the upcoming edition scheduled for September 4-9, 2023, Enervit will join forces with the organizers of A.S.D. Happy Trail MTB. An Italian leading brand in sports supplementation and functional nutrition, Evervit is also a partner of the Italian National Cycling Team.

This prestigious partnership signifies the increasing visibility and credibility of the race within the Apennines of Emilia-Romagna, as it enters its fifth edition. In a challenge as demanding as the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, nutrition plays a vital role before, during, and after the competition, especially in a six-day stage race where recovery becomes crucial.

With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Enervit is the ideal nutrition partner to support the competitors of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race. The company possesses the know-how to design, test, develop, and produce innovative and high-quality functional foods and supplements.

“We are delighted to welcome Enervit into our family. Their reputation as a world leader in meeting the nutritional needs of athletes is well-known, and they will supply their best products before, during, and after the competition. In a challenge like the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, success not only depends on preparation and mental strength but also on the careful management of energy throughout each stage,” says Milena Bettocchi and Beppe Salerno, co-organizers of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race.

Paolo Calabresi, Enervit Sport & Fitness Marketing Director, stated: “We could not pass up the opportunity to support this unique MTB race in Italy for the second consecutive year, characterized by its traveling stages. It is a fantastic competition that attracts numerous foreign athletes in a challenging and exciting outdoor environment.“

A THOUGHT FOR ROMAGNA

Registration for the Appenninica MTB Stage Race is open until June 30th, 2023, during the “Regular Registration” phase. As in previous editions, the organizers have opted for the individual formula, with a maximum of 150 registered participants. This decision aims to avoid overcrowding on the trails and ensure a high standard of riding support for all participants.

In a show of solidarity with the people of Emilia-Romagna affected by the devastating floods in May, the organizers of A.S.D. Happy Trail MTB have decided to allocate a fee of €100 for each new registration until the end of the registration phase. The funds will be donated to the Emilia-Romagna Agency for Territorial Security and Civil Protection to aid in the restoration of the areas impacted by the environmental disaster.

“We are deeply saddened by the events that unfolded in our region and stand in solidarity with the people of Romagna. By allocating a portion of the new registration fees, we aim to support the reconstruction efforts and provide concrete help to the many families affected by this catastrophic event,” stated Milena Bettocchi and Beppe Salerno, co-organizers of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race.