The unexpected change of weather conditions in the final part of the stage forced the organizers to neutralize the Queen Stage at km 84. The Dutchman won over Felix Frtizsch, the new overall leader after Ilias Periklis retired. Naima Diesner gets closer to the final victory
Credits: Marius Holler / The Outdoor Lab
A heavy storm affected the “High Mountain Queen Stage”, the most awaited stage of Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2021, on Thursday, September 16th. The rain took the spotlight in this stage, initially of 98 km and neutralized at km 84 on the Pradarena Pass, due to a violent cloudburst hitting the finish line of Cerreto Laghi. The weather, expected to improve by the time of arrival, played a bad joke to the Appenninica family.
To guarantee the safety of all athletes, Appenninica MTB Stage Race organizers Beppe Salerno and Milena Bettocchi, decided to shorten the race when the weather situation got worse in the final part of the race: “The riders’ safety is always our priority – said the OC -. When things got worse, we took a tough decision but the most responsible one.“
The fight for the final victory was shaken up, as the race lost two standout protagonists after 30 km due to the cold: Milton Ramos, winner in Fanano, and GC leader Ilias Periklis, who had already won two stages. The Greek of the DMT Racing Team opted to put his foot down to preserve his form for the upcoming MTB Marathon World Championships on next October 2nd.
A heroic Bart Classens was able to tame the rain, winning in in 4:49:00 and gaining 12 minutes on new overall leader Felix Fritzsch. The German is back in the blue jersey with 6:36 on the Dutchman. Italy’s Elia Taverna, who rode all week in the top poisitions, arrived with 17 minutes of delay from today’s winner and he’s now 33:26 behind Fritzsch.
“It was a crazy stage, but with this weather very similar to my Netherlands, and I git hyped – commented stage winner Bart Classens – On the first climb I was together with Ilias (Periklis) but I didn’t see him quitting the race. At the second feed zone I lost sight on Felix Fritzsch so I went at my own pace. In these situations if you slow down you just feel colder, anyway I didn’t realize I had won”.
Naima Diesner got even closer to the final victory in the women’s category. The German arrived at km 84 after 6 hours and 28 minutes, beating Virginia Cancellieri by 23 minutes. The Italian athlete couldn’t keep up from the early kilometers, and saw her overall chances fade, now with 39:41 to recover. Austrian Evelyn Sulzer has confirmed her third position, paying 29 minutes on the finish line, and now with an over one-hour delay.
Credits: Marius Holler / The Outdoor Lab
THE RACE HEADS TO CASTELNOVO NE’ MONTI
After the “High Mountain Queen Stage” which shook up the general classification, the race resumes on Friday, September 17th, towards Castelnovo ne’ Monti. After the departure from the ski resort of Cerreto Laghi, the athletes will face 65 km and 2050 meters of total elevation gain for a stage completely charted inside the Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino Tosco Emiliano, Unesco MAB Reserve.
The “Park & Roll” stage runs along the Pranda Lake in the initial part, then up to the Pradarena Pass. After the descent towards the Collagna Valley, the race climbs again through the Parmigiano Reggiano mountain pastures. After the Pratizzano Pass, the athletes will reach Lake Calamone, before tackling the final kilometres to the finish line, in the Cervarezza Bike Park.
Milton Ramos put his signature on Appenninica MTB Stage Race stage 4 thanks to a masterful downhill, beating Periklis, Fritzsch and Classens. Virginia Cancellieri won in the women’s category, bouncing back after stage 3 disappointment
Credits: Marius Holler / The Outdoor Lab
Halflway through his second participation at Appenninica MTB Stage Race, Milton Ramos has finally broken the ice on Tuesday, September 15th 2021. The “Zorro of the desert” won the fourth stage with start and finish in Piazza Corsini in Fanano, 48 km and 2150 meters of elevation gain charted by famous trail builder Pierpaolo “Pippo” Marani. A fast and technical course that exalted Ramos’ skills, especially in the long downhill towards the city centre, with 15 single track sections.
On the climb up to the Croce Arcana Pass, four riders were in front: along with Milton Ramos, the general classification leaders Ilias Periklis, Felix Frtizsch, and Dutchman Bart Classens. On the downhill,l Ramos started his own personal show, leaving everyone behind and crossing the finish line after 2:51:57 with a 1:18 advantage on Periklis. A little further back, Felix Fritzsch completed the day’s podium with a gap of 1:24.
After last year’s participation, finished with the fourth place overall, Ramos took his first victory in the Apennines of Emilia-Romagna. “The stage was very hard, with tough climbs, but very fast in the second downhill part. I gave everything and took risks several times, but I wanted to win here at the Appenninica MTB Stage Race. Finally, I did it“, Milton Ramos explained at the finish line
The situation in the general classification remains unchanged: Periklis has maintained his shallow advantage of 31 seconds over Fritzsch. Stable third in the general classification is Bart Classens, now with a delay of 19:07. “The stage was very good; I managed my energies with an eye on the GC. Tomorrow we’ll have a very long and difficult stage, with rain expected, so we’ll have to be focused and even more careful because the gap with Frtizsch is really small“, Periklis said at the finish line.
Furthermore, the winner of 2001 and 2003 Giro d’Italia, Gilberto Simoni has joined the Appenninica MTB Stage Race family in Fanano, as an out-of-competition special guest. The Italian climber immediately tested himself in the today’s stage, enjoying the track by Pierpaolo “Pippo” Marani, whom he met at the start. Simoni will also ride in stage 5 and 6 to Castelnovo ne’ Monti, facing the hardness of the Apennines routes.
Credits: Alyona Blagikh / The Outdoor Lab
CANCELLIERI’S VICTORY IGNITES THE BATTLE
The Women’s category keeps adding interest and uncertainty. Virginia Cancellieri returned to victory, immediately redeeming her underwhewlming performance in the third stage. The Orbea Factory Team rider was rolling from the start, and extended her lead kilometre after kilometre, finishing the race in 3:36:58.
The Italian’s performance reopened the overall standings, as current leader Naima Diesner paid 9:15 at the finish in Fanano and saw her overall gap shrinking to 16:47 with the “Queen Stage” still to come. The German was held up by a technical problem, while Austrian Evelyn Sulzer lost contact with the overall lead and gave up 22:37 at the finish line; at 39:19 in the GC, her overall chances are probably over.
“Today was a really nice stage, I saw that it suited my characteristics: long but rolling, and with technical descents. My legs were going well, and my goal was to reach the top in front and then gain advantage on the downhill. Tomorrow there is a really long stage and I think that there the real difference for the GC can be done “, explained Virginia Cancellieri at the finish line.
Credits: Juan J. Pestaña / The Outdoor Lab
THE QUEEN STAGE TO SHAKE UP THE OVERALL STANDINGS
With a balanced situation in the general classification, both among men and women, the “High Mountain Queen Stage” scheduled on Thursday, September 16th, could be decisive. The 98 km and 3750 meters of elevation gain that will take the riders from Fanano to Cerreto Laghi could be the watershed between the final glory for the win or for a good placement, for those who are still in the game in the general classification. The risk of rain could make the route even more difficult and tricky.
Immediately after the start, the athletes will tackle a 17km climb to Monte Cimone, where they will enjoy the thrilling view of Pian Cavallaro. A 10km dive to Pievepelago will precede the climb to Sant’Anna Pelago, and then a long up and down in the high-altitude area of Monte Cusna. A long but very smooth and spectacular stage: possibly, the decisive one for the final outcome of Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2021.
The DMT Racing Team biker won the third stage in Fanano, taking Appenninica’s overall standings lead by just 26 seconds over Felix Fritzsch. Third different winner among women: in Fanano it was Evelyn Sulzer’s time
Credits: Michael Chiaretta / The Outdoor Lab
That’s an edition of duels at Appenninica MTB Stage Race. On Tuesday, September 14th, 2021, Ilias Periklis won the third stage (from Lizzano in Belvedere to Fanano) in 3:03:29, riding for 57 km and 2350 m of elevation gain. Thanks to his success, the DMT Racing Team Greek took over the leadership in the overall classification, moving in first position with and advantage of 26 seconds on German Felix Fritzsch.
In the first part of the route, the race was led by a trio with Periklis, Fritzsch and Dutchman Juul Van Loon. After the second feed zone at kilometre 35, the Greek rider took the initiative, increasing the pace and leaving the company of the two opponents. Behind, other Dutchman Bart Classens and Italian Elia Taverna reduced the gap with the chaser. At the finish line in Piazza Corsini, Ilias Periklis was 2:12 ahead of Classens, while Fritzsch was third with a gap of 2:40.
The third stage of the 2021 edition of Appenninica confirmed the early days’ sensations, with Periklis apparently having something extra compared to his rivals, but Felix Frtizsch is close and ready to challenge him in the next days. The short 26″ gap pictures a race open to the last pedal stroke, with Dutch Bart Classens solid in his third position, yet 17:40 behind the overall leader.
“It was another good day for me. I liked the route with many technical sections, but I rode safely, avoiding risks. After the second feed zone, I increased the pace aiming at conquering the leader’s jersey and I took it. I think that the battle between me and Fritzsch for the final victory will continue in the next stages, let’s take it day by day”, analysed Ilias Periklis after the finish in Fanano.
In the women’s category, the Lizzano to Fanano stage produced the third different winner out of three stages. Today’s best time was by Austrian Evelyn Sulzer, who finished in 3:57:27 ahead of Naima Diesner by 5:07 minutes. Virginia Cancellieri (Orbea Factoring Team) had a tough day, crossing the finish line with a gap of 22:13, suffering the fatigue of the first two racing days and a busy season. The Italian kept her second position in the standings with just a two-second margin on the stage winner, but the gap to leader Naima Diesner is now extended to 25:56.
It was a positive day for the German, who despite her runner-up spot in the stage consolidated her leadership. “Evelyn (Sulzer) overtook me on the first climb but knowing that the race is still long I didn’t want to force and opted to continue at my own pace. I also got a flat tyre in the next few kilometres, but that can happen. I’m happy with my performance, but for the final victory I think that Sulzer is doing well and can still be dangerous“, explained Diesner at the finish line.
A bit surprised but excited, Evelyn Sulzer still holds chances for a comeback on the top positions in the ranking. “I really didn’t expect to win because there are two riders who are much stronger than me on the downhill. We still have a lot of kilometres to go with a lot of difficulties, anything can happen, let’s see what will be going on in the general classification. The landscapes are fantastic, and the route is wonderful, I’m really happy to be here at Appenninica“, said the Austrian bikers.
Credits: Alyona Blagikh / The Outdoor Lab
NEED FOR SPEED: THE “PIPPO YEAH” SHOW
It’s time for speed and adrenaline at Appenninica, with the fourth stage scheduled on Wednesday, September 15th, 2021. The 48 km and 2150 m of elevation gain that await the athletes have been charted by famous trail builder Pierpaolo “Pippo” Marani, who also designed the famous Black Snake in Val di Sole, where twenty days ago the Downhill World Championships titles were awarded.
Starting and finishing in Piazza Corsini in Fanano, the route has two climbs: the first one is the 14 km ascent to the Colombino Pass, followed by the second one to the Croce Arcana Pass. The decisive moment will probably be the long descent (18 km) with 15 single track sections, where the most capable downhill specialists will find perfect ground to showcase their qualities.
The Greek rider of DMT Racing Team won the second stage of Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2021 with a decisive attack in the descent towards Lizzano in Belvedere. German Felix Fritzsch remained atop the GC, closing 43″ behind today’s winner. Naima Diesner won the stage and took over the jersey among women
Credits: Marius Holler / The Outdoor Lab
On the slopes of Corno alle Scale, Emilia-native former skier Alberto Tomba laid the foundations of his amazing career. On the descent towards Lizzano in Belvedere, Greek Ilias Periklis used his skills to launch the decisive attack to win the second stage of the 2021 Appenninica MTB Stage Race on Monday, September 13th. The DMT Racing Team rider completed the 55km and 2540m elevation gain stage in 3:17:36, 43 seconds ahead of stage one winner Felix Fritzsch (RSG 52 Stolberg). After surprising everyone in the opening stage, the German confirmed his good form and kept the leader’s jersey in the general classification.
As expected, it was the long 33km climb on the way to Corno alle Scale that made the difference, with Periklis setting the pace and putting his rivals on the back foot. On the second ascent to Monte Cupolino, overall leader Felix Fritzsch was able to get back to him, but on the downhill the Greek, 2012 Marathon World Champion, sprinted hard to gain the 43 seconds needed to win the second stage. On the third step of today’s podium, with a 11:09 minutes delay from the winner, was Italian Elia Taverna (Asd Bike and Fund Team).
Credits: Marius Holler / The Outdoor Lab
“It was a long stage, harder than yesterday’s, and around the halfway of the race I started to raise the pace to make a selection,” said Ilias Periklis at the finish line. “On the last climb I lost time and Fritzsch came back, so I had to work even harder to shake him off and win this stage. There are five more difficult days ahead and the terrain is very technical with several fun singletrack sections, so we’ll see what the Apennines have in store for us tomorrow”.
The challenge between Periklis and Fritzsch promises to be a fierce one over the next few days as the Greek is only 2:23 minutes behind in the overall standings and there are plenty of kilometres and difficulties to change that. Finishing the Lizzano stage more than 14 minutes behind the race leader, Dutchman Bart Classens lost further ground, but still remains third in the general classification with a delay slightly under 20 minutes. “I was close to Periklis on the final climb, but I couldn’t keep up with him on the descent” Fritzsch analysed, “anyway I’m still happy to be leading the general classification“.
The women’s race was a revolution, as Virginia Cancellieri (Orbea Factoring Team) had to give up the leader’s jersey to German Naima Diesner. The Tuspo Weemde team rider completed the second stage in 4:13:48, beating the Italian by 9:57 minutes. After having narrowly lost out to Cancellieri in the opening time trial, the German jumped to the top of the standings with an advantage of 8:51minutes thanks to her performance in “Il Corno” stage, which leaves the situation still open for the next stages. Further behind was Evelyn Sulzer, who paid 19:37 to the winner at the finish in Lizzano (third position) and has a gap of more than half an hour in the general classification.
“Today was a really tough stage with a hard climb and a very technical descent, that I really enjoyed – commented Naima Diesner after the finish -. Virginia (Cancellieri) rides really well and she’s very strong, so I think there’s all the ingredients for a tough challenge between us. I’m very happy to wear the leader’s jersey today“.
Credits: Juan J. Pestaña / The Outdoor Lab
FROM LIZZANO IN BELVEDERE TO FANANO: THE ECSTASY OF GOLD
The Appenninica MTB Stage Race family will get back in action tomorrow Tuesday, September 14th: from Lizzano in Belvedere, the athletes will face a tricky stage of 50 km and 2300 meters of total elevation gain to Fanano, with the efforts starting to pile up after three tough days on saddle.
The heart of the third stage is the ascent to Monte Cimone, with 15km of long regular ascent. From the summit, there will be several ups and downs inside the Cimone Bike Park, that could be challenging and make a selection. Before the finish line in Fanano, the race will also pass through the village of Trignano, from where the brave Felice Pedroni left seeking gold in Alaska and to whom the stage called “Gold Rush” is dedicated.
German Felix Fritzsch won the opening of Appeninica MTB Stage Race, ahead of big names such as Ilias Periklis and Bart Classens. Virginia Cancellieri was the first Italian to win an Appenninica stage in the “solo” category
Credits: Juan J. Pestaña / The Outdoor Lab
Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2021 delivered a surprising opening on Sunday, September 12th, in the individual time trial in Porretta Terme (40 km and 1600 metres of elevation gain). The best time was set by German Felix Fritzsch, the only athlete to beat the 2-hour limit with a 1:58:59 time. The rider of the RSG 52 Stolberg team surprised all the most valued opponents, confirming a special feeling with the Emilia-Romagna Apennines after the victory at the Rally di Romagna in 2018, and having finished last May’s edition in fourth place.
Two riders among the favourites, Ilias Periklis (DMT Racing Team) and Bart Classens (MTB Club Licht Verzet), completed the podium with 3:05 and 3:59 delays. respectively. After last year’s crash in the second stage, which ended his experience at Appenninica, Fritzsch came back aiming at finishing the race. Fate gave him an immediate thrill: he’s the first leader of the 2021 edition.
“I’m definitely surprised, I didn’t realise I went this fast but I’m excited for the win – admitted the German rider at the finish line -. I hope I can defend the lead, but I’ll be thinking day by day. Today’s course was very demanding, with a tough climb and several singletrack sections on the descent. Definitely a good start, let’s see what happens in the next days“.
In the women’s category, the first day marked a first time. In fact, Virginia Cancellieri became the first Italian woman ever to win a stage at Appenninica MTB in the solo formula. The Orbea Factory Team rider came to the Apennine to enjoy the race and have fun in the wonderful landscapes of the area, but she started strong and she’s going play her cards until the end.
Cancellieri covered the 40-km distance of the TT opening stage in 2:31:08, with a 1:05 advantage over German Naima Diesner (Tuspo Weemde) and 12:33 over Austrian Evelyn Sulzer. This trio likely includes the final winner, also given the last-minute forfait of ultracyclist Elena Novikova, due to physical issues.
“I really liked the course, it reminded me of my home paths in Liguria – commented the Italian after the finish line – I came here to have fun after a very busy month, to set my mind off and to just enjoy the race. I will keep riding this way even aftwer today’s success, but I can’t hide I’m very proud of the result and of being able to wear the leader jersey tomorrow”.
Credits: Juan J. Pestaña / The Outdoor Lab
FROM PORRETTA TO LIZZANO IN BELVEDERE: THE RACE SPICES UP
After the “Porretta Soul” starter, Appenninica MTB Stage Race is getting to its main courses. Starting from tomorrow Monday, September 13th, the altitude will be increasing, taking the race to wonderful landscapes on the Apennines’ crests. Main feature of the second stage, starting from 9.00 am CET from Porretta and running for 55 km (2540 m elevation gain) up to Lizzano in Belvedere – birthplace of famous journalist and writer Enzo Biagi -, is the Corno alle Scale mountain, after which the stage is named (Il Corno).
The peak of 1830 m a.s.l. will be reached after an endless 33 km climb, the longest of this 2021 edition. From the breath-taking panorama of the Crinale Massimo, the riders will get to Lago Scaffaiolo and then quickly descend to the finish line in Lizzano. After this stage it will be possible to have a better picture of the favorites in the race: the time to hide is already over.
