Appenninica 2026: the partners behind the race

by | Jun 19, 2026 | Highlights, Press Releases (2026)

The strength of any international sporting event rests not in the competition alone, but in the organisations and enterprises that converge to elevate it. For the 2026 Appenninica MTB Stage Race (June 22–26), a formidable coalition of partners has confirmed their commitment, ensuring Italy’s premier MTB stage race continues to serve as a defining showcase for the Emilia-Romagna region and its world-class industries.

The Emilia-Romagna Region stands at the forefront of this endeavour. Having embraced the stage race concept from inception, the Region views Appenninica as far more than a sporting event – it represents a strategic instrument to illuminate territories confronting depopulation, whilst catalysing meaningful summer outdoor tourism. Over seven competitive editions, this vision has already yielded demonstrable outcomes.

Barbieri PNK, the Bologna-headquartered bicycle accessories specialist, has anchored the partnership ecosystem since the inaugural edition. This year, the brand extends its commitment as principal sponsor of both men’s and women’s leader’s jerseys, produced by Natali Sports Wear.

Complementing this commitment, Enervit – the preeminent brand in sports supplementation and functional nutrition- provides essential support for athlete recovery both during and after competition.

In a region celebrated for culinary distinction, gastronomic partners assume paramount importance. Delverde (Newlat Group), now in their third consecutive year, and Rodolfi Mansueto – a principal producer of tomato-based derivatives- are entrusted with athlete nutrition and recovery.

Cabrioni biscuits and Acqua del Cimone (the event’s official water) complete this gastronomic ecosystem, ensuring competitors receive sustenance befitting Emilia-Romagna’s renowned food culture.

Lavor, Italy’s leading industrial pressure-washing manufacturer, provides essential logistical support, whilst Iren Group operates a dedicated bike-washing and refreshment station at Castelnovo ne’ Monti. Additional partners – My Bike Meliconi, Hibros, SquirtLube, and Coop Alleanza 3.0 – complete the sponsor list, ensuring comprehensive event delivery across all five stages.

Sport Bike Alicante delivers mechanical support; SeTeTrack furnishes live tracking and athlete safety oversight; whilst Evodata manages timing and classification operations. This technical trinity ensures seamless race administration and real-time spectator engagement.

Radio Bruno, the region’s flagship broadcaster, serves as Official Radio Station, maintaining presence at start and finish venues throughout the week. Daily stage-winner interviews will reach audiences across Emilia-Romagna’s principal radio frequencies, extending the race’s resonance.

Brazil’s rising MTB star eyes Appenninica crown on debut

by | Jun 18, 2026 | Highlights, Press Releases (2026)

Last October, Luiza Euzebio De Souza finished fourth at Brasil Ride Bahia, one of the world’s premier mountain bike stage races. That alone would place her on every contender’s radar. At 23, already recognised as one of Brazil’s most promising MTB talents, she represents a threat any serious contender for the 2026 Appenninica MTB Stage Race (June 22-26) title must respect.

The connection between the Emilia-Romagna Apennines and Brazil runs unexpectedly deep. During World War II, Brazilian troops were stationed along the Gothic Line, establishing a historical thread that lingers. In recent years, this bond has strengthened – co-organiser Beppe Salerno and fellow Appenninica Family members ventured to last year’s Brasil Ride edition, forging mutual respect between the communities.

This year, De Souza leads a record Brazilian delegation to the Apennines: eleven athletes will toe the line at Lizzano in Belvedere on June 22.

“The Brazilian mountain bike community is very strong and numerous,” De Souza explains. “Appenninica generates great interest because it offers a unique combination of technical trails, beautiful landscapes, and top-level organisation. Many Brazilian athletes love testing themselves, and Appenninica perfectly embodies that spirit of adventure and the desire to push past your limits.”

Appenninica arrives as more than a debut – it represents De Souza’s new step into European competition. Days earlier, she contested the HERO Südtirol Dolomites, crossing the line in twenty-fifth place.

“That result at HERO didn’t capture my true potential, but I’m working to rediscover my optimal race rhythm following an injury,” De Souza shares candidly. “I arrive at Appenninica in good condition, though the injury interrupted my preparation. Recovery demands considerable patience, discipline, and adaptability. My objective is consistency from stage to stage, to savour the experience, and to contend for the strongest possible general classification result. We’ll see where it leads.“

The Brasil Ride Bahia circuit has become De Souza’s proving ground. Two fourth-place finishes (2025 and 2024) and a third-place showing (2023) have established her credentials amongst Brazil’s most promising MTB Marathon athletes. Her decision to race Appenninica stems from a deeper hunger – to test herself in contrasting, demanding environments.

“This will be my first Appenninica, and I’m truly excited,” De Souza reflects. “I expect a demanding race with technical trails, breathtaking landscapes, a fundamentally different experience from the events I typically contest in Brazil. I view this participation as both an opportunity to mature as an athlete and to deepen my understanding of Italy’s mountain bike culture.”

If the opportunity to fight for a prestigious result comes her way during the week, you can be certain that Luiza Euzebio De Souza will draw on all her talent to make her mark.

Cacchi returns to Appenninica, ready to surprise again

by | Jun 16, 2026 | Highlights, Press Releases (2026)

Since its first edition in 2019, no Italian rider has ever won the general classification at the Appenninica MTB Stage Race. This June, that could change. From 22 to 26 June, alongside Vincenzo Saitta and Emanuele Spica, Luca Cacchi lines up again at the most important stage race in Italian mountain biking: the rider from Romagna who took a surprising second place just two years ago, behind an unbeatable Hans Becking.

Cacchi will go wheel to wheel with the Dutchman again this year, and in his eyes Becking is the man to beat.

“This year I’m coming in without any fixed targets, but I know I’m ready and well prepared,” says Cacchi. “Hans Becking is a great athlete and he’s always shown it. I’m racing him again after the 2024 Appenninica, and I’m sure he’ll turn up in top form.”

Last year, Cacchi was set to start, but an injury at the HERO Südtirol Dolomites just a week earlier ruled him out. A kneecap microfracture sidelined the Bad Team rider from one of the races he had targeted most, and the mental blow cut as deep as the physical one.

“Last year really hurt, not being able to race Appenninica,” Cacchi admits. “Along with the HERO Südtirol Dolomites, it was one of the races I was counting on most. A kneecap microfracture put me out, and mentally I had to let go of my goals. But I’ve learned that this is part of mountain biking too.”

The year on the sidelines seems to have sharpened him. Cacchi arrives at the 22–26 June edition with a clearer head and fresh legs.

Becking is far from the only obstacle. Emanuele Spica and Vincenzo Saitta, the Sicilian duo from ASD Rolling Team, come in with open ambitions of winning. Cacchi knows them well: they’ve finished ahead of him several times this season, yet he doesn’t count himself the underdog.

He has reason not to. At the HERO Südtirol Dolomites he crossed the line ahead of Spica, a result he plays down but hasn’t forgotten.

“Spica and Saitta are both seriously strong,” Cacchi says. “I’ve come up against them in several races this year and they’ve always finished ahead of me, but at the HERO Südtirol Dolomites I beat Spica. We’ll fight it out over these five days.”

All three start with a genuine shot at the overall win at the 2026 Appenninica MTB Stage Race, with Hans Becking and an in-form German, Marek Sülzle, also in the mix, along with Riccardo Chiarini. Victory would put an Italian on the top step of the country’s most important mountain bike stage race for the first time.

“The chance of an Italian win at Appenninica is very real this year,” Cacchi concedes. “But you can’t underestimate the riders coming through. The start list is long, and just as I broke out in 2024, someone barely on the radar right now could do the same.”

The wait is almost over. On Monday, 22 June the cards go on the table, and we’ll find out who was bluffing and who has a real shot at the win.

Riders bulletin n.4 2026

by | Jun 15, 2026 | Highlights, Rider's Bulletin, Rider’s Bulletin (2026)

Riders bulletin n.4 📒June 15th, 2026

 

If you’ve received this email, you are probably registered for the VIII edition of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, which will be held from June 22nd to June 26th. We start in one week!.

Let’s talk about navigation

You’ll navigate via our yellow and red arrows and sometimes yellow signage tape, and also by using the GPX files of the stages uploaded to your GPS device. Get into the habit of checking your GPS device regularly to ensure you are on track. Read the race rules articles: Race marking and Navigation, Special Marking, Missing signs, and sabotage of racecourse arrows.

 

  • GPX files of the stages are available for download. Save them to your GPS, including the routes that could be used in case of bad weather (BW in the file name). We’ll tell you more at the briefings. Please make sure that they are uploaded and that your GPS device launches them correctly.

     

  • Your friends and family can follow you thanks to SeTeTrack GPS tracking devices (each of you will have one) and event page. The Appenninica live tracking event is at this link. From there, select the correct stage (not active, yet).
  • A flyer with instructions for the GPS tracker itself will be on the Telegram Appenninica channel.

 

GPX FILES DOWNLOAD

Remember to subscribe to the Appenninica MTB Telegram channel for updates during the race, links to the stage results, and links to sharable content. Turn on the push notification function.

 

Accreditation

Accreditations will take place in the splendid Apennine setting of Vidiciatico on Sunday from 14:00 to 18:30.

How to Get There and Parking:

Lizzano in Belvedere (Vidiciatico is a fraction of it) is 68 km from Bologna and 80 km from Florence.

If you arrive from Bologna DO NOT take exit Sasso Marconi Nord unless you have a telepass device on your car. Instead, take exit Sasso Marconi – SS64 Porrettana.

Camper van area: Conca del Sole Pool in Vidiciatico.

Short-term parking for accreditation is here. Go to the accreditation area on foot or by bike.

See you soon!

Syd&Macky: when Appenninica becomes a family affair

by | Jun 15, 2026 | Highlights, Press Releases, Press Releases (2026)

The Appenninica MTB Stage Race has become renowned not merely as a racing experience, but as a family journey. This year, American Syd Schulz brings her entire clan to the Emilia-Romagna Apennines – her husband Macky Franklin as a fellow competitor, and her parents as devoted supporters witnessing their first Italian adventure

Returning to the Emilia-Romagna Apennines has become a cherished tradition amongst Appenninica‘s ever-growing family of international competitors. Sharing the experience with loved ones – friends, family, partners – has amplified this sentiment, creating bonds that transcend the finish line.

Syd Schulz was a standout protagonist of the 2025 women’s competition and now joins the ranks of those bringing their inner circle to witness the Apennine challenge. In the last edition to date, she claimed two stage victories and held the leader’s jersey for two days, whilst her husband Macky Franklin offered encouragement from the sidelines. This June, the dynamic shifts: both will pin on their race numbers for the June 22–26 competition, competing side by side across five demanding stages.

The YouTube duo behind the popular Syd&Macky channel speak candidly about what drew them back. “The race was a great mix of challenging climbs and fun, rowdy descents,” they explain. “We really enjoyed the community and the fact that it is not a huge race, so you get to meet and chat with almost everyone, especially since we are all eating together every night. It really has a special vibe that you just don’t get with every stage race. Also, an excellent excuse to eat pasta multiple times a day!”

For an American couple accustomed to their home terrain, the Italian mountain experience carries a romantic allure – one they’re now extending to Syd’s parents, who join them for their inaugural Italian sojourn.

“Macky definitely had some FOMO last year when I was racing and he wasn’t, and I knew he would love the trails so we wanted to come back when we could both race – Syd reflects with characteristic candour –. Also, after losing a lot of time to multiple flat tires, I have some unfinished business here too. Since Macky’s racing, we recruited my parents to come and be our support crew – it’s also a good excuse for them to explore Italy and it will be my dad’s first time in Europe, so we’re really excited for them to have this experience, as well.”

For the American competitor – who finished second in last year’s women’s race behind Lola Bakker – this return carries the weight of redemption. A cascade of mechanical failures in a pivotal stage derailed her bid for victory; this year, she brings enhanced course knowledge and terrain familiarity, advantages she’s keen to leverage. 

“I definitely don’t have any expectations of a result, because you just never know what’s going to happen in a race like this, but I know that the more I focus on enjoying the amazing scenery and trails, the more fun I will have and the better I will perform.  I think I have a better idea of what the terrain and stages are like, which is always a plus”, Schulz explains. 

This year, the Schulz family unit offers something invaluable to Syd and Macky’s endeavour: genuine support. The secret to conquering an endurance test as demanding as Appenninica lies not solely in physical preparation, but in recovery moments – those essential interludes that restore the spirit and body. To experience these moments with those you cherish most transforms the entire undertaking. It elevates competition into something far more meaningful: a shared memory, a family legacy etched into the Apennine slopes.

STAGES RECAP 

 

Stage 1 – Monte Pizzo: 48 km, 2,000m elevation gain
Monday, June 22: Lizzano in Belvedere – Lizzano in Belvedere

 

Stage 2 – Corno alle Scale Dressed in Pink: 65 km, 2,600m elevation gain
Tuesday, June 23: Lizzano in Belvedere – Riolunato

 

Stage 3 – Monte Cimone Challenge: 38 km, 1,500m elevation gain
Wednesday, June 24: Riolunato – Riolunato

 

Stage 4 – Mountain Queen Stage: 88 km, 3,000m elevation gain
Thursday, June 25: Riolunato – Castelnovo ne’ Monti

 

Stage 5 – Windy Way Home-Ventasso: 53 km, 1,900m elevation gain
Friday, June 26: Castelnovo ne’ Monti – Castelnovo ne’ Monti