by Appenninica MTB | Apr 30, 2021 | r
The 2021 High Mountain Queen Stage of Appenninica MTB Stage Race (September 12-18) promises to be a thrilling and challenging experience, with 95 km and 3,600 metres of elevation gain
Credits: The Outdoor Lab
From September 12th to 18th, 2021, the Appenninica MTB Stage Race will offer an epic show across 420 kilometres and 16,000 metres of elevation gain, and managing energies throughout the week will be no small part to each rider’s success. As in past editions, though, the Queen Stage will represent possibly the biggest hurdle on the way of the participants, both those racing for the overall honors and those willing to win their own personal challenge.
On Thursday, September 16th, 2021, the High Mountain Queen Stage will take the riders from Fanano to Cerreto Laghi through 95 kilometres and 3,600 metres of elevation gain. Despite a slightly lower distance than the 2020 edition, the stage has a very demanding profile, with climbs not overly challenging and flowing sections, mixing forest roads with beech woods and dirt roads with sparse vegetation.
In the first part, the 2021 queen stage follows the route of last year’s one, with the 17 km climb and 1,000 metres of elevation gain from Fanano to the Monte Cimone summit, where the riders can enjoy wide views, and possibly see the wild horses that live in Pian Cavallaro. After a 10 km downhill to Pievepelago through a long single track, the second ascent will be a more regular climb on asphalt or dirt road to Bassa del Saltello (1599 mt). From there, the bikers will face 40 km of ups and downs, keeping an altitude between 1400 and 1750 m, through the Lama Lite Pass and the Monte Cusna.
After a series of fun and not too technical single tracks, the athletes will arrive in Cerreto Laghi, a renowned ski resort in the municipality of Ventasso. With its 1,344 mt, Cerreto Laghi will host the highest stage finish of Appenninica MTB Stage Race in three editions. Before reaching the finish line, the race will trespass to Tuscany a couple of times through the Passo del Cerreto, in the charming scenario of the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park, awarded by Unesco as MAB Reserve for its extraordinary biodiversity.
“Compared to the last edition we have slightly reduced the distance, but once again Appenninica offers a legitimate Queen stage, posing a real challenge for the riders. The course is flowing and runs through the wildest areas of the Apennines, offering breathtaking views between the two highest peaks of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, Monte Cimone and Monte Cusna. The riders will be immersed in the widest views of the entire week, where on the clearest days you can see both the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Adriatic Sea”, said Beppe Salerno and Milena Bettocchi, organizers of Appenninica MTB Stage Race.
by Appenninica MTB | Apr 13, 2021 | r
The unique shape of the Emilian mountains is the heart of the new Appenninica MTB Stage Race logo, strengthening the solid relationship between the event and its territories
The Emilia-Romagna Apennines have been the beating heart of Appenninica MTB Stage Race (September 12-18) since its inception. Now, this intense bond is reaffirmed by the MTB stage race’s new logo. The Appenninica organizing committee carried out a significant rebranding, putting the Apennines at the very heart of the new coordinated image.
Part of the territorial promotion strategy developed with the Emilia-Romagna Region, the Appenninica rebranding confirms the MTB stage race’s role as a showcase for the beauty of Apennine areas and a boost for summer tourism, enhancing the trails network and the authenticity of the hospitality.
In the new logo, the Apennines’ lines stand out inside a frame, like a medal, with the renewed lettering of Appenninica surrounded by the green of the woods and pastures of the Emilian mountains.
Designed by the Kipo Studio agency of Reggio Emilia, the new Appenninica coordinated image confirmed the original and distinctive colours of the event, adding an epic touch that suits the over 420 km of length and 16,000 metres of elevation gain of the 2021 edition.
“The new logo enhances the Appenninica DNA and its bond with the area it crosses and promotes. This new image also reinforces the partnership with Emilia-Romagna Region: we are confident of giving a significant contribution in promoting the richness and peculiarities of the Apennines worldwide”, said Beppe Salerno and Milena Bettocchi, organizers of Appenninica MTB Stage Race
by Appenninica MTB | Mar 26, 2021 | r
The Italian mountain bike stage race signed a partnership with the outdoors planning and navigation platform to make the best MTB routes in the Apennines open and accessible, starting with those included in the 2021 edition.
The Outdoor Lab
One of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race key missions is to inspire bikers worldwide to immerse themselves in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines’ incredible routes, promoting the area’s trails network. This objective is now enhanced thanks to the partnership with Komoot, the popular outdoor route planning and navigation platform.
Thanks to a community of 17 million users worldwide, Komoot is one of the leading outdoor platforms and apps globally. Rather than performance, Komoot focuses on the experience’s value, allowing the users to find inspiration and share their adventures.
From this edition, the Appenninica MTB Stage Race challenges will be available among the Komoot adventures: a key support in strengthening the event’s role in promoting active tourism in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines. After signing the partnership with the Emilia-Romagna Region, Appenninica will find a perfect target audience within Komoot.
On the Appenninica official profile inside the Komoot app (https://www.komoot.it/user/appenninicamtb) it’s possible to browse and download the courses of the last two edition, and follow the tracks of the route’s recon for the 2021 edition, that will take place from September 12th to 18th. The past editions are gathered in collections with a complete description of the stages, a brief presentation and the downloadable route maps. On top of that, users will be able to look for points of interest, marked as highlights, enriched by videos and photos. Thanks to Komoot, everybody now has the opportunity to test themselves on the MTB Appenninica Stage Race routes, on a solo or shared adventure, with a simple and intuitive tool.
The Appenninica 2021 riders will receive a special link to register to the platform and unlock the maps’ area involved by the event for free. Komoot tracks can be synchronized via Bluetooth with Garmin devices, as well as exported from the platform to be used on every device offline.
“The partnership with Komoot holds a strong territorial value as it allows us to expose and enhance Emilia-Romagna Apennines’ trail network. Through our international partner, we want to make Appenninica experience more enjoyable for users, inspiring the bikers with our routes,” explained Beppe Salerno and Milena Bettocchi, organizers of Appenninica MTB Stage Race.
“We are glad to support the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, and to have been chosen as the ideal platform for the regional development. We want to foster the growth of this event, and thanks to Komoot and the territorial knowledge of the organizers, riders from all over the world will be able to ride safely, enjoying a fun and accessible experience at all levels” said the Komoot Italian Community Manager, Andrea Girlanda.
by Appenninica MTB | Mar 24, 2021 | Highlights
Star of the final “Purgatory” stage of the 2021 Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2021, the Bismantova Rock inspired the Purgatory of Dante, whose National Day is celebrated on March 25th
The Outdoor Lab
During the last stage of Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2021, on Saturday, September 18th, the bikers will face the Bismantova Rock before reaching the “Paradise” of sporting glory, putting on the cherished and hard-earned finisher’s medal.
A symbol of Appenninica, the Bismantova Rock has also become an icon thanks to the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, the Florentine poet whose 700th anniversary of death will be celebrated in 2021. Through the Italian Ministry of Culture’s initiative, on Thursday, March 25th, 2021, the whole Country will celebrate the DanteDì, the National Day dedicated to Dante, recognized as the father of the Italian language. After his exile from Florence, the “Sommo Poeta” crossed the paths and trails of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines several times on his pilgrimage, seeking inspiration and inner peace. According to the tradition, the Bismantova Rock, with its imposing figure, inspired him to imagine his Purgatory.
The historical data confirm the legend, since Dante visited the area surrounding Castelnovo ne’ Monti in 1306, during his journey from Lunigiana to Padua. In addition to this historical evidence, Dante mentioned the Bismantova Rock in Canto IV of the Purgatory:
«Vassi in Sanleo e discendesi in Noli,
montasi su Bismantova e ‘n Cacume
con esso i piè; ma qui convien ch’om voli;
dico con l’ale snelle e con le piume
del gran disio, di retro a quel condotto
che speranza mi dava e facea lume»
(Dante, Purgatorio, canto IV, vv. 25-30)
Dante’s presence in Emilia-Romagna is also testified by the Sommo Poeta’s grave in Ravenna, where he took refuge in his elderly years. With a trail network of around 370-380 km, also accessible by mountain bike, the Cammino di Dante (Dante’s path) connects Ravenna to Florence while immersing in the Apennines beauty in a cultural, historical and natural journey full of emotions. The same as the Appenninica route, a perfect synthesis of Dante’s journey through the Apennines’ obscure woods, the challenging climbs of its peaks and the uncontaminated paradises of high-altitude landscapes.
by Appenninica MTB | Mar 15, 2021 | r
The Italian MTB stage race unveils the course of its seven stages for the 2021 edition (12-18 September). Great expectations for the new “High Mountain Queen Stage,” with 95km and 3,600 meters of elevation gain.
With less than six months to go, the countdown is on for the third edition of Appenninica MTB Stage Race, and the organizing team is in full activity. From September 12th to 18th, 2021, the Emilia-Romagna Apennines will be the location for an epic challenge between the world’s best long-distance riders.
As in the past, the organizers have charted a challenging course for the 2021 edition, enhancing the Apennine ridge’s beauty and the unspoiled nature of Alta Via dei Parchi, the feather in the cap for the tourist promotion of the Emilia-Romagna Region. The extreme challenge will take place over seven stages with almost 16,000 meters of elevation gain and a total distance of over 420 kilometers through five-stage venues. For the 2021 edition, new stage towns Lizzano in Belvedere (Bologna) and Cerreto Laghi (Reggio Emilia) have joined the confirmed Porretta Terme (Bologna), Fanano (Modena) and Castelnovo ne’ Monti (Reggio Emilia).
As in the first two editions, the 2021 Appenninica MTB Stage Race route will alternate long and demanding stages with fast, technical and fun courses. A perfect mix to ensure entertainment, keeping the high technical level of the race.
SEVEN STAGES AND THE GRAND FINALE ON THE BISMANTOVA ROCK
On Sunday, September 12th, 2021, Porretta Terme will host the Appenninica MTB Stage Race start with the “Porretta Soul” stage, a 45 km individual time trial (1,645 mt of elevation gain) dedicated to the Porretta Soul Festival. A symbol of Porretta Terme area, the Monte Cavallo climb will be immediately tackled by the riders while the stage will continue through the thick surrounding woodlands, enjoying high altitude views of the mountains and Reno valley.
The first real taste of Apennine ridge will be scheduled on Monday, September 13th with stage 2, 57 km and 2,340m of elevation gain from Porretta Terme to Lizzano in Belvedere. Named the “Corno”, the second stage’s protagonist is the Corno alle Scale mountain, with its wide and emotional views.
On Tuesday, September 14th, the Appenninica 2021 riders will move from Lizzano in Belvedere to Fanano with a very technical stage of 50km and 2,500m of elevation gain. The track goes continuously up and down through different terrains, with versatility required to be ready for any situation.
Designed by famous trail builder Pierpaolo “Pippo” Marani, the spectacular “Pippo Yeah” stage will return on Wednesday, September 15th. With a route of 50 km and 2,300m of elevation gain, one of the most appreciated stages of the 2020 edition will again show the beautiful landscapes around Fanano, entertaining the riders on the breathtaking single tack downhill to the town center.
From Fanano to Cerreto Laghi, the “High Mountain Queen Stage” scheduled on Thursday, September 16th, will be the real test bench for those who aspire to the Appenninica MTB Stage Race overall. The athletes will face 95km and 3,600m of elevation gain on a track wholly charted at high altitude, smooth and incredibly scenic.
After the great effort, on Friday, September 17th, the “Park&Roll” will move to Castelnovo ne’ Monti through a less challenging stage, 65km and 1,900m of elevation gain. After the first uphill part, the riders will go downhill through the trails of Cervarezza Bike Park from Lake Calamone, enjoying the Bismantova Rock view from afar.
On Saturday, September 18th, the epilogue is the “Purgatory” stage, dedicated to Dante Alighieri on the 700th anniversary of his death. The name of the stage says everything: to reach the “Paradise”, finishing (or even winning) the Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2021, the riders have to tame the Bismantova Rock, riding in the shadow of the mountain that inspired Dante’s Purgatory before tasting the glory at Castelnovo ne’ Monti.
HOW TO REGISTER
Registration for the 2021 edition is open on the official website: www.appenninica-mtb.com.
As in 2020, the organizing committee chose to allow only individual participation, without the pairs format. Riders can register at Appenninica MTB Stage Race in the “Regular Registration” phase until June 30th, 2021. A three-installment payment plan is also available for the 2021 edition. For further information: https://www.appenninica-mtb.com/en/register.
With Appenninica’s trails riding through regional and national parks, to avoid the course’s overcrowding and provide the best possible experience, the organizers opted to set a maximum number of 150 registered athletes.
THE COURSE
Stage 1 – Porretta Soul – 45 km and 1,645m elevation gain
Sunday, September 12th: Porretta Terme – Porretta Terme
Stage 2 – Il Corno – 57 km and 2,340 mt elevation gain
Monday, September 13th: Porretta Terme – Lizzano in Belvedere
Stage 3 – Gold Rush – 50 km and 2,500 mt elevation gain
Tuesday, September 14th: Lizzano in Belvedere – Fanano
Stage 4 – Pippo Yeah – 50 km and 2,300 mt elevation gain
Wednesday, September 15th: Fanano – Fanano
Stage 5 – High Mountain Queen – 95 km and 3,600 mt elevation gain
Thursday, September 16th: Fanano – Cerreto Laghi
Stage 6 – Park & Roll – 65 km and 1,900 mt elevation gain
Friday, September 17th: Cerreto Laghi – Castelnovo ne’ Monti
Stage 7 – The Purgatory – 50 km and 1,400 mt elevation gain
Saturday, September 18th: Castelnovo ne’ Monti – Castelnovo ne’ Monti
