by Appenninica MTB | Sep 8, 2021 | r
The town in the Province of Reggio Emilia, renowned for the Pietra di Bismantova (Bismantova Rock), will host the grand finale of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, with the finish of the two decisive last stages
An epic race deserves a Dantesque finale. It will be Castelnovo ne’ Monti, famous for the Pietra di Bismantova (Bismantova Rock), which is told to have inspired Dante’s Purgatory, to host the last two stages of Appenninica MTB Stage Race (12-18 September 2021). For the town in the Province of Reggio Emilia, this is the third participation in three editions of Appenninica, which by now feels at home on the hard trails of the Reggio Emilia Apennines.
After the hard work of the previous five days, the athletes will reach Castelnovo ne’ Monti on Friday September 17th, during the “Park & Roll” stage, run entirely within the Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino Tosco-Emiliano. 65 km and 2050 meters of elevation gain with a last stretch inside the Cervarezza Bike Park with a view on the Pietra di Bismantova.
The grand finale is scheduled for Saturday, September 18th, 2021, with the “Purgatory” stage: of 50 km and 1600 meters of elevation gain. Leaving the town, the route climbs up to Monte Fosola and then continues along the ridge to the Matildic Castle of Carpineti. To celebrate the 700th anniversary of Dante’s death, the stage will also tackle the climb towards the Pietra di Bismantova in the final part of the race and then experience some spectacular and unprecedented final kilometres through the narrow streets and stairways of Castelnovo’s historic centre, before the finish line in Piazza Peretti, decreeing the winners of Appenninica 2021.
“We are really pleased to host a stage of Appenninica MTB Stage Race again – said the Mayor of Castelnovo ne’ Monti, Enrico Bini -. This year’s presence is particularly significant because the last stage passes in the shadow of the Bismantova Rock, a few days after the 700th anniversary of Dante’s passing on September 14th, 1421. Appenninica is part of the activities of our project, Castelnovo ne’ Monti “a town for sports”. Mountain biking is a growing trend in our area, with many hotels now equipped to suit the needs of many riders coming to seize the opportunities of the Apennine ridge.”
CASTELNOVO NE’ MONTI, BETWEEN HISTORY AND DANTE
The symbol of Castelnovo ne’ Monti is the Pietra di Bismantova (Bismantova Rock) which, according to tradition, inspired Dante’s Purgatory during a visit by the poet in 1306, as also reported in a passage from Canto IV of the Purgatory of the Divine Comedy.
The town has medieval origins, which can still be found today in the archaeological remains of structures from that time. These include the Felina Castle, which in 870 became the property of a close relative of Emperor Ludovico II. Today, only the tower known as “Il salame” (the salami) remains. Here, in 1409, Michele Attendolo Sforza put the head of his Parma enemy Ottobono Terzi on a pike.
by Appenninica MTB | Sep 6, 2021 | r
The mountain bike stage race scheduled from September 8th to 12th is an opportunity to taste the best cooking products of Emilia-Romagna Apennines.
The bond between Appenninica MTB Stage Race and its territory is not only in the wonderful landscapes of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines but can also be enjoyed when you sit down for dinner, after the efforts of a stage. The cuisine and gastronomic excellence represent an added value for the mountain bike stage race, thanks to the many PDO and PGI products of one of the most prosperous areas in Italy.
The products of the great Emilia-Romagna cuisine will also be at Appenninica, thanks to the prestigious partnerships reached by the organising committee in collaboration with Emanuela Zannoni. One of the most important new entries of this edition is Barilla, which will supply the Appenninica family with its best products for the pasta parties at the end of the stages. The excellence and the quality of Made in Italy is exported by Barilla all over the worldwide, thanks to its unique heritage.
As usual, the opening of the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese wheel will be a ritual moment at Appenninica. The Latteria Sociale Carnarola, Caseificio del Parco, Casteificio Sociale Fior di Latte and Caseificio Sociale La Querciola will supply the mountain variety of the world-famouse cheese from the Apennines, whose production area extends along the entire race route, with high mountain pastures and a processing method synonymous with quality and authenticity.
Sportspeople know how rehydration is after hours of sporting activity, which is why the Sem Group, one of the leading operators in Italy in the bottling of water and soft drinks will be alongside Appenninica. Sem produces and distributes Monte Cimone natural mineral water, oligomineral water with a low mineral component. In the stages of Fanano, Cerreto Laghi and Castelnovo ne’ Monti, the athletes will quench their thirst with water flowing inside the Parco Naturale dell’Alto Appennino Modenese at over 935 metres above sea level. The Monte Cimone water is bottled with an eco-sustainable process to reduce the impact of plastic containers on the environment as much as possible.
Coop Alleanza 3.0 will supply with its Vivi Verde range those who prefer organic and natural products. The Medici Ermete winery will award the category winners with a mangum of Concerto-Lambrusco Reggiano DOC organic wine. It will be possible to taste both dry Assolo-Reggiano DOC and dry Quercioli Reggiano-Lambrusco DOC during the dinners, among the best wine products of the Apennine territory.
The traditional balsamic vinegar of Reggio Emilia PDO of the G&G Acetaia is another prized product of the area to taste in the final dinner, at the end of the last stage in Castelnovo ne’ Monti. GSI Casa Modena Salumi is also a partner to Appenninica, offering participants the unique flavours of its products, and the production experience handed down from generation to generation, combining tradition and innovation.
“Healthy and safe food is synonymous with quality. Supporting events like Appenninica it’s important, because they combine sports activity and the promotion of health and healthy food in Emilia-Romagna, a land rich with great products with the PDO and PGI marks. Promoting the territory means not only enhancing the beauty of the landscape and the opportunities it offers, but also the quality of its cuisine”, explained the Italian MP Antonella Incerti, member of the Italian Parliament’s Agriculture Commission and representative of the Emilia-Romagna Region.
by Appenninica MTB | Sep 1, 2021 | r
The famous ski resort in the municipality of Ventasso will host Appenninica MTB Stage Race for the first time, with the finish of the most challenging test, the High Mountain Queen Stage, and the start on the following day
Located in the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park, the famous ski resort of Cerreto Laghi is ready to make its debut at Appenninica MTB Stage Race. The hamlet of Ventasso, in the province of Reggio Emilia, is one of the five stage venues of the 2021 edition, to be held from September 12th to 18th. With its excellent facilities both for winter sports and to enjoy nature and outdoor activities such as trekking and mountain biking, the territory of Cerreto Laghi is rich in glacial lakes, as suggested by its toponymy, offering breath-taking views and water sheets to experience moments of peace and relaxation.
For its debut in the mountain bike stage race, Cerreto Laghi is ready to host, on Thursday 16 September, the finish of the most awaited effort: the High Mountain Queen Stage. After the start in Fanano, the athletes will face 95 km and 3,600 metres of elevation gain, touching the two highest peaks of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, Mount Cimone (2,165 m) and Mount Cusna (2,121 m), while enjoying the scenery of a wild territory. Approaching Cerreto Laghi, there will also be room for several fun stretches of single track, which is ideal after so many kilometres.
On Friday, September 17th, the caravan of Appenninica MTB Stage Race will start again from Cerreto Laghi to face the “Park & Roll“, fully located in the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park, fraction up to Castelnovo ne’ Monti: 65 Km and 1900 meters of elevation gain, with a challenging early section around Monte Cavalbianco.
“As the Municipality of Ventasso, we are very pleased of having Cerreto Laghi in the Appenninica MTB route, as our territory sees tourism as a crucial asset“, explained the Mayor of Ventasso, Antonio Manari. “Cerreto Laghi is well known and established for winter tourism, but I think it is essential to invest in another type of outdoor tourism such as mountain biking, which is rapidly growing in our territory. This important opportunity will help us to strengthen our destination, which we would like to qualify more and more as an ideal location for cycling lovers.”
BETWEEN WATER SOURCES AND MUSHROOMS COMPETITIONS
Immersing oneself in nature and landscapes is a must during a stay in Cerreto Laghi, enjoying enchanting places such as the Sorgenti del Secchia, a large basin of glacial water. There are about ten water areas in the surroundings, all easily walkable through hiking trails such as the Valle del Riarbero, where the water erosion has created an enchanting landscape.
Every year, Cerreto Laghi hosts the World Mushroom Championship, an event dedicated to the typical product that grows abundantly in the woods of these territories. The contest, whose 9th edition will take place in 2021, is a mushroom picking competition organised by the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park.
by Appenninica MTB | Aug 27, 2021 | r
Winner last year with Hans Becking, Andrea Marconi’s team will be at the start of the 2021 edition (September 12th-18th, 2021) with 2012 UCI MTB Marathon World Champion Ilias Periklis and German Vinzent Dorn
If winning is hard, repeating is even harder. Andrea Marconi’s DMT Racing Team is ready to defend the title won last year by Hans Becking on the trails of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines. From September 12th to 18th, 2021, the Italian team will take part in the 2021 Appenninica MTB Stage Race, with a duo formed by experienced Greek Ilias Periklis and 24-year-old German Vinzent Dorn.
“By just checking the route, it’s hard to claim our ambitions. Appenninica will offer a great chance to test ourselves on challenging routes and prepare for the UCI MTB Marathon World Championships on Elba Island, taking place a few weeks later on October 2nd, 2021. Being at Appenninica is also a way to support a growing and ambitious event, and we are pleased of the opportunity to join an all-Italian MTB stage race”, explained Andrea Marconi.
After the positive experience of last year, when DMT Racing took the first and second overall spots with Hans Becking and the 2016 UCI MTB Marathon World Champion, Tiago Ferreira, Andrea Marconi made a call ahead of the 2021 edition: “Appenninica is a growing event that showcases semi-unknown gems and locations to the whole World. I would like all Italian teams to take part in this kind of events, as this would be a boost for the Italian MTB movement as a whole.”
On September 12th, 2021, at the start of Porretta Terme, the DMT Racing Team title defense will be started by Ilias Periklis, 2012 UCI MTB Marathon World Champion in Ornanas (France), and German Vinzent Dorn, a duo that combines experience and willingness to emerge. “Periklis is an established and successful rider, who has the experience and knows how to handle himself over the course. Dorn is a young rider with a great desire to show himself and achieve important goals”, explained Marconi.
The 420 km and 16,000 metres of elevation gain will test Marconi’s team ambitions for an encore: for sure, the Emilia-Romagna Apennine is an uncompromising judge.
by Appenninica MTB | Aug 26, 2021 | Highlights
The performance beer created for sportspeople by Simone Bertin is sponsor of Appenninica’s 2021 edition: a balanced product that restores energy without glycaemic spikes
Is there any better than a cold beer after an Appenninica stage? For the 2021 edition (September 12th– 18th, 2021), the Appenninica MTB Stage Race’s organising committee will delight its riders with a special and balanced product, developed specifically for them by La Orange.
DeQou Action Beer is the first handcrafted performance beer with an alcohol content of only 3,5% vol., rich in magnesium and potassium with a double ratio of maltodextrin. This beer releases energy without causing a glycaemic spike, thanks to an innovative production brewing method based on university research and development.
“Thanks to its wealth in elements, beer has been used for thousands of years to integrate and replenish minerals and energy in a pleasant way. DeQou Action Beer is the first performance beer specifically developed and brewed in Italy to combine taste, emotion and nutrition. The low alcohol combined with the high maltodextrin level makes it the perfect beer for recovery after a long sports session. We are sure that even the tireless participants of Appenninica will enjoy a sip of energy and “beerness” at the end of their efforts”, said Simone Bertin, CEO of La Orange.
DeQou Action Beer will be present at every stage of Appenninica with a special can, customized for the mountain bike stage race. La Orange returns to Appenninica’s family after having been a sponsor in the first edition.
