The Queen Stage is always the most anticipated by all Appenninica MTB Stage Race athletes, especially for those targeting overall victory and looking to make their mark on this crucial stage.

Diego Arias delivered exactly that performance today, Thursday June 26th, soloing to victory in Castelnovo ne’ Monti on the 88km stage 4, High Mountain Queen Stage with 3,000m of climbing. The Colombian extended his advantage over closest rival Vincenzo Saitta after the race exploded on the Ligonchio descent, where Arias and teammate Massimo Rosa broke away from the six-man leading group. Hans Becking crashed during the action and was forced to abandon, though he escaped serious injury.

On the subsequent climb toward the Bismantova Rock, Arias and Rosa were caught by Saitta, forcing the Colombian to increase his pace and go solo. The overall leader completed his effort in 4:15:54 in Castelnovo ne’ Monti, while Vincenzo Saitta overtook Rosa to finish second, 2’26” behind.

Massimo Rosa took third place, 7’54” behind his teammate. Rounding out the top five were Emanuele Spica in fourth at 9’41” and Andrea Candeago fifth at 11’52”.

“I dedicate this victory to my wife, my daughter, and my team who never miss the smallest detail,” said Arias after the finish. “Massimo and I found ourselves in front, but when we saw Vincenzo Saitta catching up, I preferred to go alone to try to consolidate my overall lead.”

The strategy worked perfectly, as Arias now leads Vincenzo Saitta by 9’19” overall. Andrea Candeago holds third place, 24 minutes behind his teammate, though he’ll need to defend his podium spot from Emanuele Spica, who trails by just 2 seconds.

The situation remained stable in other categories, with overall leaders also winning the fourth stage:

Green Jersey Masters: Oscar Pujol

Orange Jersey Grand Masters: Mirko Pirazzoli

Purple Jersey Great Grand Masters: Axel Strauss

After struggling in the heat the previous day, Lola Bakker returned to winning form in Riolunato. The Dutch rider, who had lost over 15 minutes on Stage 2, paced herself smartly from the start and turned the race back in her favour.

Choosing not to follow Syd Schulz’s initial tempo, Bakker conserved her strength and began clawing back time on the Monte Cimone ascent, eventually rejoining the American at the summit. Schulz then slipped on the descent — without injury — but the battle was only settled in the final kilometres, where Bakker surged ahead.

She crossed the line in 4:45:56, 45 seconds ahead of Schulz, who retains the Maglia Rosa Lavor with an overall lead of 13’38”. Linda Van Vliet placed third on the stage and remains third overall, although she conceded nearly an hour today.

“I went out at my own pace, just to see how I was feeling after yesterday,” said Bakker. “After the first climb, I realized I had good legs, so I pushed harder on the second and caught Syd. I won it in the final kilometres — it was a stunning stage, maybe my favourite ever at Appenninica.”

“I think I misjudged my effort today,” admitted Schulz. “I was exhausted by the end. The scenery was incredible again, but the heat really took it out of me.”

There’s always a chance to turn the tables in a stage race — and Andrea Candeago did just that on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Riolunato. After missing out on the win in Vidiciatico, the Metallurgica Veneta Pro Team rider made no mistakes this time, seizing victory in the uphill sprint finale of Riolunato.

Candeago outpaced Vincenzo Saitta (Rolling Bike Team) and teammate Diego Arias to take Stage 3 — 64 kilometres with 2,750 metres of elevation gain. Arias, once again in control throughout tha stage, extends his grip on the general classification.

The day began in Vidiciatico with a long, steady climb to Corno alle Scale, which the lead riders tackled without fireworks, knowing the real challenge lay ahead. Alongside the podium trio, Emanuele Spica, Hans Becking, Davide Magnani and Peter Menghetti also made the early front group. But as the race descended toward Fanano, Menghetti crashed out, and on the long ascent to Monte Cimone, the pace from Metallurgica Veneta split the field for good.

Becking, Spica, and Magnani were dropped one by one, leaving Candeago, Saitta, and Arias to contest the win. In the final uphill corner into Riolunato, Candeago led from the front and held his advantage to the line, clocking 3:28:02 — just two seconds ahead of Saitta and Arias. Spica followed at 2’28”, while Becking crossed fifth at 5’38”.

“I was frustrated after yesterday, so I really wanted this,” said Candeago. “Right now, I think Diego, Vincenzo and I are the strongest on the climbs. It’s a pity about the mechanical in Stage 1 — I might be closer overall. Today I made sure to take the final corner first, and it paid off.”

Diego Arias remains firmly in the lead, now 6’54” ahead of Saitta. With today’s performance, Candeago moves into third at 12’08”, followed by Becking at 14’03” and Spica at 14’22”.

“I’ve been able to manage the race well so far,” commented Arias. “Almost seven minutes is a good cushion, but anything can happen — especially with the heat playing such a big role this week.”

The Master‘s classification continues to be dominated by Oscar Pujol, who took his third consecutive stage and now leads Juul Van Loon by 16’09”, with Rob Van der Werf sitting third at 25’18”. In the Grand Master ranks, Mirko Pirazzoli made it three out of three, extending his lead over Stefan Buri to nearly thirty minutes. In the Great Grand Master field, Axel Strauss remains unchallenged ahead of Piotr Sozanski and Lawrence Westney.

The women’s classification was significantly reshuffled. Starting the day with a 2’49” lead, Lola Bakker struggled from the very first kilometres and could not find her rhythm. By the finish, she had lost 17’12” to Syd Schulz, who now tops the general classification with a 14’23” margin.

Linda Van Vliet completed the podium both for the stage and overall, although over 45 minutes down on the new leader.

“I went out strong to test the waters and see if Lola would respond,” explained Schulz. “I was alone almost right away, and didn’t panic. I thought she’d come back, but maybe the heat got to her. The scenery at Appenninica is amazing, and I really loved the final descent today — it was so much fun.”

Vincenzo Saitta continues to build momentum at the 2025 Appenninica MTB Stage Race, confirming his status as a rising contender. After animating the opening stage, the Sicilian rider struck gold on Tuesday, June 24, conquering the second stage: a 46-kilometre technical rollercoaster with 2,100 metres of elevation gain, both starting and finishing in Vidiciatico.

The course offered no reprieve, with relentless climbs and descents that tested riders’ skill and stamina. A five-man lead group quickly emerged, featuring Diego Arias, Hans Becking, Vincenzo Saitta, Andrea Candeago, and Davide Magnani. Midway through the race, Magnani lost contact, and on the final ascent to Molino della Squaglia, Becking was also dropped.

Down to three, the leaders traded attacks. Near the second feed zone, Candeago made the first move, which was immediately countered by Arias and Saitta. On the following singletrack descent, Candeago pushed again, but Saitta launched his own counterattack just before entering the town centre. Leading into the narrow streets of Vidiciatico, he sprinted clear and claimed a decisive stage victory — his first at Appenninica.

Saitta stopped the clock at 2:20:18, edging out Arias and Candeago. Emanuele Spica finished fourth at 1’55”, while Becking trailed by 1’59”. Despite missing the win, Arias maintains control of the general classification and retains the Barbieri PNK Blue Jersey, holding a 6’54” lead over Saitta, with Becking in third at 8’27”.

“I said yesterday I wanted to win, but I didn’t expect it to come so soon,” said Saitta. “I stayed with the strongest riders all day and managed to get into the final kilometre ahead. That was the key.”

Diego Arias remains satisfied with his consistent performance. “We managed the race without forcing after yesterday’s effort. I hoped Andrea could go for the win in the finale, but Vincenzo timed his move well on the descent. There’s still a long way to go, but I’m feeling good.”

In the Master category, Oscar Pujol doubled up with a second stage win, once again ahead of Rob Van der Werf and Juul Van Loon. Mirko Pirazzoli also claimed back-to-back victories in the Grand Master category, consolidating his lead over Stefan Buri. In the Great Grand Master race, Axel Strauss confirmed his dominance, taking the win ahead of Piotr Sozanski and Lawrence Westney.