Appenninica MTB Stage Race inaugurates its Hall of Family

by | Aug 22, 2022 | Highlights, Press Releases (2022)

At the end of the 2022 edition (4-10 September), Appenninica will induct the participants who were able to complete the stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines for three times as members of the Appenninica Family. An exclusive club that five athletes could join already this year

The Appeninica MTB Stage Race is a challenge to yourself. Those who have already made this experience know how demanding the route of 450 km and 16,000 metres of total elevation gain is, and how much willpower is needed to reach the finish line. Completing Appenninica is an achievement: doing it several times is a real highlander’s feat.

For this reason, the MTB stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines wishes to celebrate those riders who are able to wear the finisher’s medal for three times.

At the end of the 2022 edition, scheduled from 4 to 10 September 2022, the Appenninica “Hall of Family” will be inaugurated. The exclusive club will be reserved to those who have completed the hat-trick, defeating their limits and confirming their love and passion for Appenninica and its places year after year. Members of the Hall of Family will receive unique benefits and opportunities to feel increasingly part of what has become a true family over the years, as well as a place in the history and heart of Appenninica.

“We thought of creating this club to honor those who have decided to put their trust in us and participate in the Appenninica MTB Stage Race for several years. At the end of the 2022 edition, a special medal will be awarded to those who have completed the feat for the third time. We hope to see this community of enthusiasts grow over the years, creating a little hall of fame for our Appenninica Family,” said Beppe Salerno and Milena Bettocchi, co-organizers of Appenninica MTB Stage Race. 

Among the participants at the start in Castelnovo ne’ Monti on 4 September, no less than five athletes could reach the prestigious milestone. These include Peter Wouters, owner of 9th Wave Cycling, a sponsor of Appenninica since the first edition, who completed the race in 2019 and 2020, like Poland’s Zbig Mossoczy. Swiss Thomas Jauner will try to earn the triple crown after the 2019 and 2021 editions, the same challenge as Stefan Kiene and Anton Tieleman, both 2020 and 2021 finishers.

In addition to the stage finishes and the final classification, there will be an extra motivation for them: to make Appenninica MTB Stage Race history.

Riders bulletin n.5/2022

by | Aug 21, 2022 | Rider's Bulletin (2022)

Riders bulletin n.5 📒August 21, 2022

 

This is the fifth rider bulletin. These bulletins will provide useful information, news, and mandatory action reminders. We are 13 days out.

 

You can now read the 2022 Rider Guide! It’s at this link (you can download a pdf copy and you’ll get a hard copy when you check in). Please, read it.

 

Remember to subscribe to the Appenninica MTB Telegram channel for updates during the race, links to the stage results, and links to sharable content.

 

The starting list is on the website. Click here.

 

Ciao from the Appenninica team!

Germany’s Fritzsch and Diesner ready to defend the Appenninica crowns

by | Aug 18, 2022 | Highlights, Press Releases (2022)

The two winners of the 2021 Appenninica MTB Stage Race are ready to take the start again in 2022 (4-10 September) to defend their titles. “Appenninica is a special race, and the Italian welcoming makes all the difference,” said the Germans

Giving it all and leaving nothing behind. With this spirit, Felix Fritzsch and Naima Diesner are preparing to defend the titles they earned on the finish line of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race just under a year ago. The two German riders will be back to the start in Castelnovo ne’ Monti for the 2022 edition (4-10 September), aware that the competition might be even fiercer this time.

For Fritzsch and Diesner, the overall victory in 2021 came in different fashions, but still tasted sweet. In the men’s category, the R2 MTN CREW rider took the title by emerging over the field of the pre-race favorites, proving to be the most consistent athlete throughout the week. In the women’s field, Diesner – now a Buff-Megamo Team rider – dominated the competition, winning four of the seven available stages and distancing the runner-up, Virginia Cancellieri, by nearly an hour.

“Last year, I competed without too many expectations, and I surprised even myself by winning the final classification so I will adopt the same strategy this year. My goal is to give everything and get the best possible result at the end of the seven stages”, said Felix Fritzsch.

On the other hand, Diesner shows more confidence on the heels of last year’s eloquent performance:

“Confirming that achievement will be difficult, but I will do everything to place myself in the top positions again and try to defend the title”.

The pool of contenders promises to be even richer and fiercer in both categories, leading to a more uncertain and spectacular race until the finish line in Lizzano in Belvedere.

“I know it will be very difficult to beat Diego Arias, but anything can happen in such a demanding race with several stages. After a complicated start of the season due to various physical problems, I am also regaining my best shape ahead of the start: I will give everything day by day“, explained Fritzsch.

“Compared to last year, there will be an Olympic athlete like Maaike Polspoel, which raises the level of an already demanding race and makes it even more fascinating. So far, I have had an exciting season, and I hope to continue like this at Appenninica as well”, commented Naima Diesner.

If the build-up for Appenninica MTB Stage Race was different for the two German riders, they once again agreed on the beauty of the race along the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, from Castelnovo ne’ Monti to Lizzano in Belvedere, passing through Fanano and Porretta Terme.

“Appenninica is a very well organised race, with a special atmosphere outside the competitive moments. An event that I would definitely recommend to those looking for an exciting race that combines adventure and a breath-taking scenery“, resumed Fritzsch.

“Last year was a magical race for me, thanks to the excellent Italian hospitality and the atmosphere created by the staff. I enjoyed it so much that not only did I want to be back, but also convinced two friends to join me, from Australia and Costa Rica”, echoed Diesner.

The closing line is about the chances of a repeat for the two Germans.

 

“Sharing the podium with a friend like Felix last year was special. Together we talked about returning to Appenninica, and I think it will be great to see us competing for the top positions again”, admitted Diesner.

 

“It will be very tough, but one thing is certain: whoever wins will have deserved the title, 100%”, concluded the King of Appenninica 2021.

Appenninica comes home: Porretta Terme rocks your soul

by | Aug 16, 2022 | Highlights, Press Releases, Press Releases (2022)

On Thursday 8th and Friday 9th September, Porretta Terme will be stage finish and start of 2022 Appenninica MTB Stage Race (4-10 September). The town in the Province of Bologna is home to ASD Happy Trail MTB, the organizing company of the stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines

The Emilia-Romagna Apennines are the theatre of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, and Porretta Terme is home to ASD Happy Trail MTB, the organizing company of the event. That’s why the mountain bike stage race feels at home any time it reaches Porretta Terme: in 2022, the thermal town in the Province of Bologna will be in the spotlight on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th September.

Unlike previous years, the 2022 edition will get to Porretta Terme in the second half of the race. On Thursday, September 8th, the course of the fifth stage, 67 kilometres and 2200 metres of total elevation gain, will start from Fanano (Modena) and will immediately face the ascent towards Fellicarolo, before approaching a technical descent towards the valley of the Ospitale river. From there onwards, the stage will follow the so-called “Gothic Line”, theatre of resistance clashes during the Second World War. Before reaching Porretta Terme, the athletes will engage in the ascent to the picturesque village of Monteacuto delle Alpi, and then launch themselves into two descents: a more technical one first, towards Castelluccio, and a second one, faster, that will head straight to the finish line.

On the following day, Friday September 9th, Porretta Terme will host the start of the sixth stage: Il Corno (The Horn). 63 km long and with 2700 metres of altitude difference, the main protagonist of the stage finishing in Lizzano in Belvedere will be the Corno alle Scale ski area. The stage presents a tough first section with around 30 km of uphill forest roads, to be ridden in untouched nature. At about km 37, the race will turn into a more technical challenge, facing the demanding climb of the Passo dello Stofinatoio (6 km long and 600 metres altitude difference, including a 500 metres portage stint). From there, the athletes will reach the Scaffaiolo Lake before nosediving through trails and single tracks sections towards the finish line.

“Once again, Porretta Terme will host Appenninica MTB Stage Race – commented Giuseppe Nanni, mayor of Alto Reno Terme – Appenninica is now a well-established event, whose roots are grounded in our territory. This adds an extra motivation for us to support this event, an international competition that enhances our wonderful area involving also sectorial media. I wish good luck to all the Appenninica staf and ridersf: Porretta Terme is ready to welcome you!”.

PORRETTA TERME TREATS YOUR SOUL

Among its many facets, Porretta Terme is well-known for its SPA centres and for its water, rich in mineral elements. Even today, it is still possible to visit the underground springs, discovering the secrets of the subsoil and the path of the thermal water. In addition, thanks to the recent collaboration with the Gruppo Monti Salute Più, which is an important Bologna-based company for health and wellness that is renovating the thermal centre, it will be possible for athletes to stay in the Porretta facilities at the end of the fifth stage.

“For Gruppo Monti Salute Più, Porretta Terme is an important hub,” commented Antonio Monti, the company’s Scientific Director, “as we have taken over the ancient thermal centre and we are now aiming to bring it back to the magnificence of the first half of the 20th century, when it was a real gem for the entire area. Collaborating with events like Appenninica, that share our values of sports, mobility and a healthy relationship between humans and environment trhough the Natura World project, allows us to further convey our message and give a boost to an initiative that enhances this territory”.

Furthermore, Porretta Terme can also boast an international music event, the Porretta Soul Festival. Every year since more than 30 years, this festival gathers the best soul and rhythm & blues artists on the international scene, establishing itself as a cult event for the whole town and province.

The Appenninici: from doctor to competitor, the trajectory of Debora Lana

by | Aug 3, 2022 | Highlights

The Appenninica MTB Stage Race characters have plenty of stories to tell, either about life or sports. After taking part in the first two editions as a doctor in the race village, in 2021, Debora Lana decided to face the Appenninica challenge on her bike

While the spirit behind Appenninica MTB Stage Race – the MTB stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, scheduled this year from 4 to 10 September, is to create a friendly and familiar atmosphere where everyone can feel at home, there are different ways to live and enjoy those intense moments. 

Someone who has joined the extended Appenninica family is Debora Lana, a doctor by profession but a passionate biker in her leisure time. After taking part in the first two editions as doctor at the race village, last year, Debora decided to exchange her scrub for a cycling uniform to experience the paths of the Apennines.

“After the first two editions as race doctor, I was curious to try the experience as a participant because I had never competed in mountain bike stage races. Following a specific training program, I decided to try the adventure. I was pleasantly surprised, both for being able to complete it and for the good performance,” said Debora Lana. 

Those who have experienced the Apennines know how much this event can leave an indelible mark, creating lasting memories and relationships. And even more so for those who have lived it in two guises.

“Maybe it is because I have lived the Appenninica experience on both sides that I feel deeply a part of this Appenninica Family. The staff gives you great enthusiasm, creating chances to know people from all over the world with who you can make friends. It is truly a life experience. When you live it within the staff, your commitment is to fulfil the athletes’ needs, trying to be useful for them. When you live it as an athlete, you give it all on the competitive level, to finish the stage in the best possible way”, explained Debora Lana.

Debora Lana liked last year’s experience so much that she plans to repeat it this year, though an injury keeps on the mend her hopes to be at the start in Castelnovo ne’ Monti on September 4th .

“I am very interested in riding the reverse route. Last year I was a beginner and definitely made some mistakes, but I think it’s important to manage nutrition and integration and to get your body used to the effort, with adequate rest and well-defined rhythms. Last year, the day after Appenninica, I took part in an Mtb Marathon race and won in the distance I had signed up for: it was my eighth Appenninica stage!”