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.

The sixth edition of Appenninica MTB Stage Race kicked off on September 2nd from the heart of Bologna. Despite the stage’s relatively limited distance and elevation gain, the start on the San Luca climb (nearly 2 km at an average 10.8% gradient) immediately showed riders that nothing comes easy in the Apennines.

On the 43 km route with 1,550 m of elevation gain from Bologna to the new stage venue of Loiano, Appenninica and its peloton rode the same San Luca climb as the Tour de France just two months ago. While chances of beating Tadej Pogacar’s King of the Mountain (KOM) time (5 minutes and 6 seconds, set on June 30th in the Tour’s first-ever Italian Grand Départ) were slim, the 130 riders gave their all and conquered the iconic ascent before leaving the city behind and diving into the more typical forests and off-road trails.

Retracing the famous “Via degli Dei” (Gods’ Path) hiking trail, which connects Bologna to Florence along the ancient Flaminia Militare Roman road, the opening stage of Appenninica 2024 offered a first glimpse of the athletes’ fitness and ambitions. Among the guests at the start was also the former Italian Road Cycling Technical Director and Emilia-Romagna Tourism Board President Davide Cassani.

BECKING TAKES THE LEAD, CACCHI IS RIGHT BEHIND

Riding on such an iconic climb, tackled by the world’s greatest cyclists just two months ago, was bound to leave a mark on all riders, whether regulars or newcomers to Appenninica MTB Stage Race. Hans Becking, the reigning champion and first man to win Appenninica twice, is now chasing his third gold medal and legendary status on the Emilia-Romagna trails.

However, the back-to-back title might not come easy for the Dutchman. Right behind Becking, who won in 1 hour, 58 minutes, and 20 seconds, two young riders are vying for the spotlight: Italian athlete Luca Cacchi (23 years old), just 6 seconds behind on the finish line in Loiano, and German Peat Weinberg (21), who took bronze with a 58-second gap.

“It was a nice stage, fast and fun, with a tough final climb after a flat yet technical middle section,” said winner Hans Becking.

“This is my first year in the Elite category, Appenninica is my first ever stage race and, even though I’m from this area, I had never ridden on the San Luca before,” said a smiling Cacchi on the finish line. “Hans only dropped me in the last few hundred meters,” added the Italian, who finished the opening stage on a positive note.

NINA BRENN FIRST QUEEN AT APPENNINICA 2024

Winner of the Swiss Epic on home soil, and coming off last year’s third place at Appenninica, Nina Brenn is the first woman to cross the finish line in Loiano in 2:33:48. Second place goes to Dutch rider Lola Bakker, who started the race at full gas but suffered a gap of 9:41 to the winner. Third place is Spain’s Ada Xinxó Moreira, 10:45 behind.

“I loved this stage! Steep climbs are my favorite, and the flat part along the Reno river was beautiful. I’m happy for the win and for the racecourse,” said Nina Brenn at the finish line.

FROM LOIANO TO LIZZANO: APPENNINICA SHOWS OFF IN THE CORNO ALLE SCALE AREA

Tomorrow, Tuesday, September 3rd, 73 km and 2,550 m of elevation gain will take the riders from the new entry Loiano to Lizzano in Belvedere, a regular stage venue in recent years. Stage 2, named “Gothic Line”, runs along three rivers (Savena, Setta, and again Reno) and crosses no less than three valley floors.

The route kicks off with 25 km among the medieval hamlets of La Scola and Rocca Pitigliana, and the Rocca Mattei Castle. After that, the riders face a 17 km climb with 900 m elevation gain, reaching for the first time the real peaks of the Apennines. From there, the track follows the Gothic Line trail, a legacy from the clashes during World War II.

The Appenninica peloton is ready for a long day on the bike, cycling through history and nature, well aware that nothing worth having ever comes easy.

The 2024 edition of Appenninica MTB Stage Race officially kicked off on Sunday, September 1st, from the very center of Bologna. In the iconic Sala Borsa, one of Bologna’s historic libraries and a cultural hub of the Emilia-Romagna capital, it was time for the preliminary operations.

Among the riders were many familiar faces: from Mark Anolik to Clive Caldwell, from Lola Bakker to Zbig Mossoczy. Riders that are joining the race for the second, third or even fourth time, testament to the great atmosphere of the Appenninica Family, which often gets full praise from the whole peloton. “This is my fourth participation! It will be a fantastic week among friends, an experience like no other in the MTB world. I can’t wait to relive these emotions!” said Mark Anolik, former US pro downhill athlete.

The familiar atmosphere is one of the defining features of Appenninica, and a main reason why almost half of the athletes return each year. Even though the challenge is tough (400 km and 13,000 m of elevation gain), with demanding climbs and technical descents, more and more familiar faces gather on the Apennines to ride, suffer and enjoy together an incredible experience.

The route provides plenty of points of interest, and together with the world-famous Italian hospitality makes Appenninica worth the effort. It’s a perfect recipe to showcase the entire region through cycling, outdoors and an active lifestyle, as highlighted by the Delegate Councillor for Tourism of the Municipality of Bologna, Mattia Santori.

“Bologna is glad and proud to have you back after the first edition in 2019,” said Mattia Santori, Delegate Councillor for Tourism of the Municipality of Bologna. “You invested in our region, and it’s right that we welcome you in one of our finest venues, Sala Borsa. It has been a great summer for sport in our city: among others, we hosted the Tour de France, now Appenninica and next week the Italian Tennis Team ahead of the Davis Cup.“

FROM BOLOGNA TO LOIANO RETRACING THE “VIA DEGLI DEI” HIKE

Tomorrow, Monday, September 2nd, the riders will begin their journey from the heart of Bologna, retracing the footsteps of the Tour de France. From the Arco del Meloncello the peloton will head towards the challenging San Luca climb, two months after Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and the best road cyclists in the world. After a tough uphill start, the 43 km route with 1550 m of elevation gain will immediately test the riders’ legs as they journey from Bologna to Loiano.

Once the San Luca climb is conquered, the course will follow the Reno river on the same flat track as the “Via degli Dei” (Gods’ Way). It’s a well-known hiking trail on an ancient Roman road from Bologna to Florence, that in 2022 alone recorded 22,000 passings. This historical and unique setting will welcome the peloton and serve as a calling card for the Emilia-Romagna beauties.

In the final part of the race, the caravan leaves the city once and for all to dive into the Apennines and its wild nature. A first climb towards Monte Mario and a second one featuring 400 m of elevation gain towards the new stage venue of Loiano, will be the first judges of the 2024 edition.

Race preparations are over, everything is set: it’s time for Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2024.

The city and the Apennines, culture and outdoor adventure, flat terrain and mountains: Appenninica MTB Stage Race is ready to blend all these elements from September 2nd to 7th in a thrilling and exciting event. On the eve of the race, September 1st, Bologna will welcome riders from 24 countries, showcasing its international character just as it did in the very first edition in 2019.

Back then, the dreams of organizers Milena Bettocchi and Beppe Salerno took shape as the Appenninica MTB Stage Race: a mountain bike marathon event designed to showcase the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, a wonderful yet lesser-known area. Now, five years and six editions later, Appenninica returns to the heart of Bologna, ready to provide a top-notch cultural experience while embracing the outdoors and off-road cycling.

400 KM AND 13,000 MT OF ELEVATION GAIN: FROM BOLOGNA TO THE APENNINES

Bologna, a city renowned for its rich history and prestigious university, will welcome riders from 24 Countries, embodying the international spirit that has defined the race since its inception in 2019.

Appenninica MTB Stage Race will follow in the tracks of the Tour de France’s historic Italian Grand Départ earlier this summer. Riders will pass under the Arco del Meloncello and tackle the iconic San Luca climb, the same challenging ascent that tested road cycling legends Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard just two months prior.

The race will then venture into new territory, including a stage in the village of Loiano and a section along the ancient Via degli Dei hiking trail. Familiar challenges await as riders reach the Corno alle Scale – once a training ground for Italian skiing legend Alberto Tomba – and the imposing Monte Cimone, the highest peak in the Emilia-Romagna region.

The historic town of Fiumalbo, gateway to Tuscany, returns as a stage host for the second consecutive year. The route then winds back through the Monte Cusna and Monte Ventasso regions, areas steeped in medieval history and once ruled by the powerful Countess Matilde di Canossa. The race concludes in the shadow of the iconic Bismantova Rock, a distinctive rock formation that inspired Dante Alighieri’s vision of Purgatory in his Divine Comedy. This striking landmark has become a symbol of the race, providing a challenging yet exhilarating finale to the event.

FIERCE COMPETITION IN BOTH MEN’S AND WOMEN’S FIELDS

As riders prepare to tackle this challenging course, attention turns to the elite athletes who will be vying for victory.

In the men’s race, Dutch rider Hans Becking stands as the clear favorite, aiming for an unprecedented third victory. However, his recent performance at the Swiss Epic suggests potential vulnerability. Fierce competition is expected from fellow Dutch athlete Bart Classens, who has already achieved second and fourth places in the General Classification in his two previous participations. Poland’s Pawel Garczyk is also among the top contenders. Notable outsiders include three-time finisher Federico Mandelli, Belgium’s Bram Saeys, and Germany’s Peat Weinberg.

The women’s field presents a more open contest. Portuguese rider Celina Carpinteiro and Swiss athlete Nina Brenn, who secured third place last year, enter as slight favorites. However, Spain’s Ada Xinxó Morera and Dutch riders Erika Koster and Lola Bakker are all capable of upsetting the expected order.

A GLOBAL COMMUNITY UNITED BY PASSION

The Appenninica MTB Stage Race has cultivated a loyal following, with many riders returning year after year. Olympic champion Miguel Martinez, who compared the race favorably to the renowned Cape Epic after his experience last year, will make his second appearance in 2024. Similarly, Mark Leeper, captivated by the region’s beauty, extended his stay in Castelnovo ne’ Monti by a week after a previous edition, working remotely while immersing himself in the Apennine experience.

As the event approaches, the Apennines are already buzzing with activity. Juul Van Loon and Bart Classens are training in Fiumalbo, while the eccentric Peter Wouters and his distinctive 9th Wave orange van have set up camp in Castelnovo ne’ Monti.

The Appenninica MTB Stage Race embodies the spirit of adventure, connecting the cultural richness of Bologna with the raw beauty of the Apennine Mountains. It offers participants not just a race, but a journey through history, culture, and some of Italy’s most stunning landscapes. The 2024 journey is about to begin.