After 320 kilometers and nearly 12,000 meters of climbing in a sun-scorched week, the 2025 edition of Appenninica MTB Stage Race has found its champions: Diego Arias and Lola Bakker. Arias, racing for Metallurgica Veneta Pro Team, led from start to finish. Bakker, meanwhile, had to chase down American Syd Schulz after a setback in stage two, sealing her win with consistency and resilience. 

Arias claimed the final Barbieri PNK Blue Jersey, securing his second career Appenninica title after his 2022 triumph. Throughout the week, the Colombian faced relentless pressure from Vincenzo Saitta, backed by teammate Emanuele Spica. The duo from Rolling Bike Team were central protagonists from the opening stage, locked in an ongoing battle with Arias and his team, managed by Martino Tronconi.

The final showdown came on Friday, June 27th, with the 58 km stage 5 around Castelnovo ne’ Monti (1,600 m elevation gain). Spica, just two seconds behind third-place Andrea Candeago in the GC at the start, executed a decisive ride to claim the stage in 2:30:18 and climb onto the final podium.

The stage began with aggressive moves from Oscar Pujol and Peter Menghetti, the latter leading solo for nearly 1 hour and 40 minutes before taking a wrong turn and getting reeled in by a quartet: Arias, Candeago, Saitta, and Spica.

From there, the Rolling Bike duo turned up the pace on the climb to Pietra di Bismantova, distancing Candeago in the fight for third overall. Spica then surged ahead on the final descent, clinching the stage win. Menghetti outsprinted Saitta for second (+42″), followed by Arias and Candeago at +2’27”.

“I really wanted that third place overall,” said Emanuele Spica. “Vincenzo and I pushed hard on the final climb and made it happen. I’m proud of the stage win – it’s been a fantastic week, full of satisfaction for our team. This is a tough but truly beautiful race. It deserves its reputation.”

Arias completed the five-stage race in 15:32:25, with Saitta second at +7’34” and Spica rounding out the podium at +21’36”. Candeago (+24’00”) and Massimo Rosa (+45’20”) completed the most Italian-flavored top five in event history.

“Today I tried to help Andrea Candeago defend his third place, but we couldn’t quite manage it,” said Diego Arias. “It’s been a great week with excellent organization – just like I remembered from 2022. I’m happy to have found my best legs again and to take this win. I hope to return next year to defend the title – maybe against Hans Becking again.”

SCHULZ WINS THE FINAL STAGE, BAKKER TAKES THE OVERALL

The duel that animated the women’s race all week saw one last chapter in the final stage. Syd Schulz claimed victory at the foot of Pietra di Bismantova, once again proving faster than Lola Bakker over shorter distances – but the Dutch rider had already done enough to lock in the overall win.

Schulz completed the stage in 3:19:15, finishing 8’35” ahead of Bakker. The Lavor Pink Jersey was never in doubt after stage four, with Bakker holding a 21’25” lead in the general classification. Fellow Dutchwoman Linda Van Vliet completed the podium, over two and a half hours behind her compatriot.

“Winning Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2025 is a dream come true,” said an emotional Lola Bakker at the finish. “This year I was strong mentally and physically – I think that made the difference. It’s been a difficult season with injuries, but this victory makes it all worthwhile.”

CLEAN SWEEPS IN THE OTHER CATEGORIES

The week also saw dominant runs across the other categories. In the Masters, Oscar Pujol went unbeaten across all stages, finishing over 30 minutes ahead of defending champion Juul Van Loon, with Rob Van der Werf in third.

In Grand Masters, Mirko Pirazzoli led from start to finish, building a gap of over 40 minutes to Stefan Buri (Switzerland), with Paul Wellicome (UK) third.

In the Great Grand Masters category, Axel Strauss of Austria was in a league of his own. Piotr Sozanski took second, and Lawrence Westney completed the podium.

Lola Bakker‘s dominance was on full display today in the Queen Stage. After regaining momentum yesterday in Riolunato, the Dutch rider secured her third victory of Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2025, delivering what appears to be a race-defining performance.

Learning from Wednesday’s experience, the Dutch rider approached the early section at a steady pace, staying with category leader Syd Schulz. At the Emilia-Romagna Apennine ridge crest near the first feed station, Bakker launched her decisive attack. The American, slowed by a puncture, was unable to respond.

Kilometer by kilometer, Lola Bakker’s advantage grew. She completed her ride in 5:50:52, inflicting a 30’20” gap on Almudena Rodriguez Lopez de Armentia. Syd Schulz could only manage third, finishing 43’38” behind the Dutch rider.

“This morning, I had planned the race with the goal of reclaiming the Pink Jersey because I knew I could make my mark on long distances,” said Bakker. “When I saw Syd behind but slightly distanced, I gave everything because I didn’t want any regrets. I focused on nutrition and cooling myself, which helped, as did the support from Belgian and Dutch fans along the course.”

The High Mountain Queen Stage completely transformed the overall standings. Lola Bakker now leads with a commanding 30-minute advantage over Syd Schulz – a reassuring margin heading into tomorrow’s final stage. Linda Van Vliet remains firmly in third overall, more than two hours behind the leader.

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.