The race numbers reserved for the Appenninica MTB Stage Race’s Early Bird registration phase were sold out for the second consecutive year. With less than nine months to the go, two-thirds of the available spots are already gone, with new Countries also joining the party
If seems like 2022 Appenninica MTB Stage Race is already off to a very good start. At the end of December, the best-price Early Bird registration phase came to a close: all the available numbers for such period were sold out for the second straight year, as demands and attention keep increasing for the event whose 4th edition will be held from September 4th to 10th, 2022, in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines.
Among the Early Bird entrants, the 2021 participants who confirmed their participation with the Appenninica Family deal and those who chose to pass on their 2021 registration due to COVID-related circumstances, the event’s peloton already amounts nearly 100 riders, two-thirds of the closed number of 150 participants, with little less than nine months to the start.
Increasing interest also results in more Countries being represented at the event: Appenninica remains very popular among riders from the Netherlands and Belgium, already the most represented Countries in 2021, but Mexico, Brazil and Costa Rica also show in the list, with an increased presence also from American and Sweden, while new riders are expected from Spain. That is excellent news for an event whose main purpose is making the Apennines and the Emilia-Romagna’s beauties renowned on the international scale.
On January 1st, the “regular registration” phase has opened (1.290 €), to be followed by the eventual “late registration” period (1.490 €). Registrations will close upon reaching the maximum number of 150 participants.
At Appenninica, riders are guaranteed a full-service package, including the race number and all the thrills of the race, food and accommodation, as well as the offer of additional on-demand services such as massages, mechanical services, hotel packages or companion passes. It’s also possible to require a prorated payment plan in three instalments with no extra costs, a very popular choice also among Early Bird entrants.
The Italian mountain bike stage race will take place in September 2022, but will move a few days earlier compared to 2021. The “Early Bird” registration phase starts on November 15th
Just little time to enjoy the show of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, and for Appenninica MTB Stage Race is already time to start planning for a new adventure. The Italian mountain bike stage race has disclosed the dates of next year’s event: the fourth edition of the event will take place from September 4th to 10th, 2022.
In the 2021 edition, which ended less than two months ago, Appenninica has further established itself among the most relevant events in Italian mountain bike, collecting significant success among riders and stakeholders on the international scale. For the 2022 edition, the A.S.D. Happy Trail MTB organizers have opted to move the dates a few days earlier, yet confirming its late-summer fixture for the third year in a row.
“Our goal is to grow further, strengthening Appenninica MTB Stage Race’s positioning as a unique competition for its technical level, the wild and amazing landscapes, and for the extraordinary atmosphere that riders breathe within the Appenninica family. The feedback from riders and insiders at the end of the 2021 edition has given us further energy and motivation. We want to keep focussing on our distinguishing features, while building around them an increasingly engaging and attractive event, a showcase for the territory and the Emilia-Romagna Apennines”, said Beppe Salerno and Milena Bettocchi, co-organizers of the race.
The registration opening date has also been fixed on Monday, November 15th, 2021, when the “Early Bird” phase will get off. In this phase, there are 50 numbers available within January 31st, 2022, providing the chance to register at the lowest fee, and pay in several instalments. Like many stage events, Appenninica is a full-service race, which means that not only the participation, but also accommodation, meals, transfers between stages and other services, are included in the fee.
The “solo” formula has been confirmed also for the 2022 edition, as well as the maximum number of 150 registered riders, to avoid overcrowding of trails and to guarantee higher race standards.
In the final stage, Felix Fritzsch gained more terrain over Bart Classens, on his way to the overall victory. Elia Taverna won the final stage and earned the third step of the podium. Diesner finalized a dominating display to be crowned queen of Appenninica 2021
Credits: Francesco Narcisi / The Outdoor Lab
The test of the Bismantova Rock gave Felix Fritzsch the Men’s crown of Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2021. Winner of the opening stage in Porretta Terme, the German completed the stage race on the Emilia-Romagna Apennines in first position, showing consistency and tactical acumen to beat Bart Classens in the GC by 8:09, responding to the Dutchman’s comeback after the High Mountain Queen Stage.
Fritzsch was not among the top favorites before the race, yet on Saturday, September 18th, 2021, on the finish line in Piazza Peretti in Castelnovo ne’ Monti, the German enriched his palmares, adding the Appenninica overall to the 2018 Rally di Romagna. The 32-year-old of the RSG 52 Stolbergteam completed the seven stages in 20:49:55, ahead of Dutch Bart Classens (second) and Elia Taverna, third at 37:22.
“I’m really happy for the final victory. The race was very hard and I’m tired but we rode in wonderful landscapes and the Apennines are stunning. I’m proud to have completed the race, that was my goal at the start, but it was a fantastic experience. Now that I won the leader jersey, I have to come back next year and defend it”, said Felix Fritzsch on the finish line.
After riding all week in the front positions, Elia Taverna finally achieved a stage victory on the final day, 50 km and 1600 metres of elevation gain. The Italian rider managed to win the final stage in 2:27:55, setting the pace with Fritzsch and Classens in the first part of race, until a flat tire forced the Dutchman out of the game. At the finish, Fritzsch gave Elia Taverna the green light to the stage win.
“Finally, I have got a stage victory. I’m happy of how I have been racing this week and I’m fully satisfied about my participation. I didn’t think I’d be such at the sharp end, and to win a stage, so it’s all very positive”, said Elia Taverna.
Credits: Juan J. Pestaña / The Outdoor Lab
NAIMA DIESNER’S CONQUERS APPENNINICA
An absolute protagonist of this edition, Naima Diesner’s attitude conquered the entire caravan of Appenninica. The German got another win at the shade of the Bismantova Rock in 2:51:57, ahead of Virginia Cancellieri by 7:21 and Evelyn Sulzer by 8:13. After the expected battles in the first stages, Diesner dominated the race starting from the High Mountain Queen Stage and winning four out of seven stages. In the overall standings, the Tuspo Weemde team rider finished Appenninica in 26:24:58, with an advantage of 59:37 on Virginia Cancellieri and 1:26:09 on Evelyn Sulzer.
“It was a fantastic experience. At Appenninica MTB Stage Race I found a wonderful atmosphere, the people welcomed me in an extraordinary way. This victory is also for those who couldn’t race it till the end due to some crashes or mechanical problems. I really enjoyed the race and I’d love to be back next year”, explained Naima Diesner.
Credits: Francesco Narcisi / The Outdoor Lab
APPENNINICA EYES FURTHER GROWTH IN 2022
At the end of the 2021 edition, the Appenninica MTB Stage Race organizers drew a positive wrap-up of the experience, looking forward to 2022 with new drive and confidence. The 106 athletes coming from 16 different Countries expressed positive comments towards the Emilia-Romagna Apennines stage race, where they fell in love with the atmosphere through the whole week.
“The feedback from the riders confirms that Appenninica belongs among the main mountain bike stage races in Europe. Many athletes felt at home while discovering unexpected landscapes among the Emilia-Romagna Apennines. The competition was tough, showing that the route gave nothing for granted and needed to be prepared in the best possible way. We lived an intense week full of emotions, thanks to the beautiful landscapes and the passion of the athletes. We are already looking forward to 2022 with the aim of growing further”, said the Appenninica organizers, Beppe Salerno and Milena Bettocchi.
The final awarding ceremony in Piazza Peretti was attended by the Antonella Incerti, member of the Italian Parliament’s Agriculture Commission and representative of the Emilia-Romagna Region, the Public Works Councillor of Castelnovo ne’ Monti Giorgio Severi, and on behalf of the Coop Alleanza 3.0 Directors Board, Chiara Saccani. “I want to express a big thank you to the OC and to all athletes – said Antonella Incerti-. We are investing on the Apennines and on these areas that have a great potential. Appenninica is an important chance to showcase the territory in all his features, from landscapes to hospitality and cuisine”.
After the the “High Mountain Queen Stage”, the Dutch biker took also the sixth one in Castelnovo ne’ Monti, but Felix Fritzsch remained on his wheel and in the GC lead. Tomorrow, the Bismantova Rock will crown the king of Appenninica. Another victory for leader Naima Diesner among women
Credits: Francesco Narcisi / The Outdoor Lab
Following his feat in the “High Mountain Queen Stage”, Bart Classens delivered another success in Castelnovo ne’ Monti, on Friday, September 17th, 2021. The Dutchman won Appenninica MTB Stage Race’s 6th test, started from Cerreto Laghi, whose distance was shortened to 45 km and 1200 metres of elevation gain after yesterday’s downpours had affected the safety conditions on some trails. On the finish line of Piazza Peretti, Classens outsprinted GC leader Felix Fritzsch, ending his effort in 2:05:36.
Bart Classens got off to a strong start, trying to attack Fritzsch’s lead, but the German biker managed the situation, getting back on the Dutchman’s wheels halfway into the race. From there, the two continued together to the finish, where Classens won the duo’s sprint. The final outcome will be decided tomorrow, when Felix Fritzsch will have a 6:36 advantage to defend. Italy’s Elia Taverna was third both in the stage, with a 4:01 gap, and in general classification, over 30 minutes behind the German.
“I tried to pick up the pace in the early part of stage to try to put Felix (Fritzsch) into trouble, and I managed to drop him at first, but he made his way back. Tomorrow, I’ll also need some of luck, because Fritzsch has a solid lead to manage”, explained Bart Classens.
Naima Diesner had already proved to be the strongest of the field in the previous stages, but she wanted to make her participation in the Appenninica MTB Stage Race even more successful, taking her third stage victory in 2:30:12. After thanking the O.C. on social networks for their handling of the “High Mountain Queen Stage” tough weather conditions, the German biker dug a further gap in the general classification, which she leads with 52:16 on Virginia Cancellieri.
At the finish in Castelnovo ne’ Monti, Evelyn Sulzer took second place with a 9:37 gap, while the Italian biker of the Orbea Factory Team was 12:35 adrift, giving up any further hope for the overall glory. After the start, the three best riders rode together, until an attack by the duo Cancellieri-Sulzer, to which Diesner replied and further insisted with her pace, flying alone to the finish line.
“I started with the idea of managing my advantage. Virginia (Cancellieri) and Evelyn (Sulzer) tried to raise the pace and so did I. I’m happy to be here in Appenninica and I think that the situation in general classification is now quite secure, but I still have to be careful”, said Naima Diesner after the finish line.
Credits: Marius Holler / The Outdoor Lab
THE 2021 EDITION TO BE DECIDED ON DANTE’S PURGATORY
After the efforts of an intense week, it will be the “Purgatory” stage to decide the final classification of Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2021, on Saturday, September 18th. In Castelnovo ne’ Monti, the anticipated final act will take place over 50 km and 1600 metres of elevation gain, which will crown the winner of the 2021 edition between Fritzsch and Classens.
On the 700th anniversary of the of poet Dante Alighieri’s death, the final judge of Appenninica will be the Bismantova Rock, which according to tradition inspired the Purgatory of the Divine Comedy. Leaving the town of Castelnovo, the route will continue for 13 km on the sinuous track until the steep climb to Monte Fasola. After a long downhill to the Secchia river, allowing for a short breather, the riders will climb again towards the Bismantova Rock, before heading back downtown to the finish line in Piazza Peretti.
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.
