Schulz strikes back, Steinburg takes pink

by | Jun 23, 2026 | Highlights, Press Releases (2026)

If the men’s race is separated by just a handful of minutes, the women’s competition is proving equally balanced. Five riders set the pace in the opening kilometres of Stage 2: overall leader Luiza De Souza, racing despite her crash on the opening day, alongside Lola Bakker, Greete Steinburg, Mara Parisi and Syd Schulz.

On the long descent towards Fanano, De Souza – first over the climb – lost several minutes and effectively dropped out of contention for the overall classification. The after-effects of yesterday’s crash had prevented her from recovering properly, and her performance inevitably suffered.

On the final climb, Steinburg increased the pace decisively, while Bakker and Schulz tried to hold her wheel. Before long, the American found herself alone in pursuit of the Estonian. In the closing kilometres, however, Schulz gradually closed the gap and eventually caught Steinburg, snatching victory in the final metres in 4:45:19.

Just 27 seconds separated the two at the finish, while Mara Parisi crossed the line in third at 1:27 after overtaking Lola Bakker late in the stage. Bakker finished fourth at 3:46, while De Souza lost almost an hour.

“I took the win in the final metres – it was amazing,” said Schulz after the finish. “On the climb to Monte Cimone I was second behind Greete and kept pushing because I knew Lola could come back on the descent. Then, near the end, I saw Greete again and gave everything I had. Yesterday everything went wrong: I punctured and lost a lot of time. Today I felt really strong. I’m probably out of contention for the overall, but I want to enjoy the rest of the race.”

Steinburg could still celebrate taking over the Barbieri PNK Pink Jersey as the new overall leader, with a slender advantage of 1:42 over Lola Bakker. Mara Parisi sits third at 4:39, while Syd Schulz has cut her deficit to 17:32. Luiza De Souza now trails by more than 50 minutes.

“I love this race, the atmosphere and the trails – I enjoyed every kilometre today,” said Greete Steinburg at the finish. “I didn’t want to take too many risks because there are still three days to go. Yesterday I lost time after crashing on a descent, so today I was more cautious. I usually get stronger day after day in stage races and that gives me confidence. The Queen Stage suits me perfectly and I’ve already ridden it in training, so I’ll tackle it with confidence.”

Win for Becking, Jersey for Spica

by | Jun 23, 2026 | Highlights, Press Releases (2026)

Hans Becking, Vincenzo Saitta and Emanuele Spica are emerging as the three strongest riders of this year’s Appenninica. Once again, the trio set the pace from the opening kilometres, gradually extending their advantage over the chasing group. The first selection came on the long opening climb towards Corno alle Scale, although their lead over Marek Sülzle and Luca Cacchi was still measured in seconds at Lago Scaffaiolo.

The race took a decisive turn on the descent towards Sestola, where the Bad Team rider Cacchi suffered a puncture and lost crucial minutes repairing his bike.

At the front, the leading trio remained together on the climb to Monte Cimone. The stalemate was finally broken on the descent to Riolunato, when Saitta accelerated and briefly opened a gap over his teammate and Becking. But with just five kilometres remaining, a puncture forced the race leader to slow down.

Becking and Spica moved past him and battled for the win on the uphill finishing stretch in Riolunato. The Dutchman came out on top, stopping the clock at 3:30:34.

Spica crossed the line in second place and pulled on the Barbieri PNK Blue Jersey as the new overall leader, while Saitta eventually finished 2:02 behind. Marek Sülzle was fourth at 4:29, with Luca Cacchi fifth at 4:54.

“Today was a fantastic stage, with tough climbs and technical, enjoyable descents,” said stage winner Hans Becking. “Saitta and Spica are really strong – we stayed together all day. It will be difficult to drop them because they’re riding really well. I think the battle will stay open until the end. We’re all separated by just a few minutes and things can change very quickly, as we saw today.”

Spica now leads the overall standings, with Becking second at 1:31 and Saitta third. Cacchi sits fourth at 8:38 and Sülzle fifth at 8:45, still within striking distance.

“We pushed hard in the finale to try and win the stage, but Vincenzo’s puncture took him out of contention at the key moment,” said the new race leader, Spica. “I sprinted for the stage win, but taking the jersey is obviously important. In the coming days we’ll try to control the race, although we’re all very close and the outcome remains wide open.”

Among the Masters, Juul Van Loon retained the Green Jersey, backing up his Stage 1 victory with another win in 4:00:45. Jon Roberts repeated his success in the Grand Master category in 4:17:37, while Bernd Büdenbender claimed victory in the Great Grand Master division in 5:45:35.

De Souza overcomes adversity

by | Jun 22, 2026 | Highlights, Press Releases (2026)

Luiza De Souza was among the riders to watch, and she delivered. The 23-year-old Brazilian won the opening women’s stage, overcoming both her rivals and a late crash that could have cost her dearly.

As in the men’s race, the stage was decided on the long central climb, where the lead group shrank to four: De Souza, Lola Bakker, Greete Steinburg and Mara Parisi. On the final ascent the Brazilian launched the decisive attack; Bakker held on for a few hairpins before cracking.

A crash by the leader on the final descent threatened to reopen the race, but De Souza remounted and crossed the line in 3:10:46. Bakker came home at 1:33, still firmly in contention for the overall. Steinburg took third at 3:10, Parisi fourth at 6:49.

The sour note was Syd Schulz, fifth at more than 21 minutes. The American, the 2025 runner-up, was well below her best: she may have been affected by jet lag, having landed in Italy only the day before, or not yet adjusted to the heat.

After the finish, De Souza was taken to Porretta Terme Hospital as a precaution for checks, following a blow to the head sustained in the crash.

“I felt good for most of the race, but in the finale I couldn’t hold Luiza’s pace,” Bakker admitted. “I didn’t see the crash, but I really hope she can start again tomorrow morning.”

Sicilian dominance in the Apennines

by | Jun 22, 2026 | Highlights, Press Releases (2026)

They had promised fireworks, and they delivered from day one, crossing the finish line side by side. Stage 1 of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2026, held on Monday, June 22nd, was won by Vincenzo Saitta, accompanied all the way to the finish by his teammate Emanuele Spica.

The Rolling Bike Team duo prevailed after 48 km and 2,000 metres of elevation gain, on a course starting and ending in Vidiciatico. However, there is still a long road ahead before the final finish in Castelnovo ne’ Monti, and with four stages remaining, anything can still happen. The standings remain tight, the competition is balanced, and both the men’s and women’s races are wide open.

The opening stage erupted into decisive action from the initial ascent toward Lizzano in Belvedere. Federico Mandelli ignited the flames, establishing a seven-rider break. The decisive selection, however, came on the long ascent to the day’s highest point at 1,480 metres, where race favourite Hans Becking made his move.

The Dutchman increased the pace and shattered the lead group, but the Italian trio of Saitta, Spica and Cacchi refused to back down and matched every attack. The first casualty was Marek Sülzle, who lost contact after suffering a mechanical issue.

Misfortune later struck Becking as well. A technical problem on a descent forced him to put a foot down, costing him valuable seconds that he never managed to regain. On the following climb after Rifugio Segavecchia, Saitta and Spica raised the pace once more, finally distancing Cacchi.

The two Sicilians managed their advantage on the final descent and crossed the line together in 2:20:46. Becking secured third place after overtaking Cacchi on the final climb, finishing 1:40 behind the leading duo, while the Italian rider lost 2:31. Sülzle completed the top five at 4:17.

“Today’s stage was short, but we managed to make the difference on the second long climb and build a gap that ultimately proved decisive,” said Saitta after the finish. “I came here after finishing second overall last year and I really wanted to wear the leader’s jersey. It will be difficult to keep it all the way to Castelnovo ne’ Monti, but I believe I have a chance. Tomorrow I’ll have even more motivation, and having Emanuele high in the standings will be crucial. Every day is different, and being able to play two cards changes everything for the team.”

Juul Van Loon claimed the Green Jersey as leader of the Master category, finishing tenth in 2:44:33. In the Grand Master category, Britain’s Jon Roberts took the win in 2:57:16, while Germany’s Bernd Büdenbender prevailed in the Great Grand Master category with a time of 3:33:40.

Appenninica MTB Stage Race gets underway tomorrow in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines

by | Jun 21, 2026 | Highlights, Press Releases (2026)

When Appenninica MTB Stage Race arrives at Lizzano in Belvedere, it breathes the air of belonging. For years, this settlement at the foot of Corno alle Scale has hosted Italy’s most significant mountain bike stage race. Yet beyond logistical convenience, Lizzano has become something more: a sanctuary for an experience – authentic, familial, celebrated internationally – that renders Appenninica irresistible to those who have tasted it once.

For newcomers and returnees alike, the appeal remains constant: five days of riding, the confrontation with personal limits, friendship between rivals, and immersion in the unspoiled Apennine landscape. Appenninica possesses the rare capacity to transcend mere sporting event and become family. It celebrates a territory where hospitality transcends marketing – it is foundational identity.

From Corno alle Scale to Bismantova Rock, the collective ritual renews itself for the eighth time in the race’s history. Five stages will award elite jerseys across five categories: Men Elite, Women Elite, Master, Gran Master, and Great Grand Master. All carry the same flame in their eyes as they contemplate the journey ahead.

A journey through unspoiled landscapes along the Apennine ridge of Emilia-Romagna, past villages steeped in history, culture, and tradition, and through wild, untamed nature. Whether a first-time competitor or a veteran returning for the umpteenth edition, all carry the same gleam in their eyes – an unmistakable eagerness to depart.

THE MEN’S COMPETITION: BECKING, SÜLZLE, AND ITALIAN AMBITIONS

Perhaps for the first time in Appenninica’s history, Italian competitors arrive with legitimate credentials for overall victory. Yet anyone harbouring such ambitions must contend with the athlete wearing number 1: Hans Becking. The Dutchman has triumphed thrice on these slopes (2020, 2023, 2024) and remains an indomitable force.

Becking arrives in formidable condition. Equally impressive is German Marek Sülzle, fresh from a commanding performance at the HERO Südtirol Dolomites.

Yet the narrative of 2026 belongs to Italy’s rising challenge. The Sicilian duo of Vincenzo Saitta and Emanuele Spica – who finished second and third overall last year – are reinforced by the return of Luca Cacchi, who battled Becking in 2024. Veteran Riccardo Chiarini, third at the 2024 Rally di Sardegna, adds further depth.

Dutchman Bart Classens (runner-up in 2021 and perennial threat), Macky Franklin, and Federico Mandelli possess the capacity to disrupt on any given stage.

THE WOMEN’S RACE: WILL BAKKER AND SCHULZ REPRISE THEIR DUEL?

Last year’s women’s competition between Lola Bakker and Syd Schulz delivered a thrilling narrative of contested supremacy. On paper, 2026 threatens to reprise that captivating embrace, with the Dutch champion defending her crown and the American seeking redemption.

Yet formidable challengers lurk. Estonian Greete Steinburg commands attention – a stage winner at Cape Epic 2023 and second-place finisher at Transalp 2024. An intriguing wildcard emerges from Brazil: Luiza De Souza, contesting her first European stage race after impressive showings at Brasil Ride Bahia.

Italian hopes rest with Mara Parisi, the newly crowned national MTB Marathon champion (Women Amateur 1) and winner of the 86-kilometre women’s event at HERO Südtirol Dolomites merely one week prior.

 

A NEW COMPANION: GISELLA THE MOUNTAIN SHEEP

This edition introduces an official mascot to the Appenninica Family: Gisella la Pecorella. The mountain sheep, an iconic symbol of the Apennines, has been chosen to embody the spirit of the race. Daily, stage victors will receive not merely traditional accolades, but also a commemorative gift bearing Gisella’s likeness.

She will soon be joined by Nino from Appennino, her male counterpart – a name christened by the Appenninica community on Instagram.

THE CEREMONIES EVE, TOMORROW THE START

On Sunday afternoon, June 21, the hamlet of Vidiciatico in Lizzano in Belvedere hosted preliminary accreditation operations and official race presentation at 17:30 CEST. Mayor Barbara Franchi extended the hospitality of the municipality. Following tradition, proceedings culminated in the ceremonial cutting of a wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano, generously provided by Caseificio Fiordilatte of Gaggio Montano – a sign of good omen.

Tomorrow, Monday, June 22, Vidiciatico will launch the official start at 10:00 am CEST with a 48-kilometre loop stage offering 2,000 metres of elevation gain. The route promises flowing passages interspersed with technical sections: beech forests, forestry roads, and flowing singletrack. A compelling aperitif for the week that awaits the Appenninica Family.