by Appenninica MTB | Mar 20, 2020 | Highlights, Press Releases, Press Releases (2020)
The MTB stage race is working for the 2020 edition (19-25 July) and facing the COVID-19 health emergency: in case of postponement of renouncement for Coronavirus-related reasons, the registration will be kept valid for the next edition
Italian and International media are invaded by the COVID-19 emergency, many sport events have been cancelled and calendars turned upside down. However, in this uncertain juncture, Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race wants to be close to its participants and to all those wishing to join the race, scheduled from the next July 19th to 25th. The event’s policy has been amended in order to allow everybody to make their choices in full serenity.
The organizers keep working for the event from their home places, respecting the decree issued by the Italian Government, with the goal of being ready on the starting line in Porretta Terme (Bologna). “As difficult as it is to talk about MTB on days like these, when other issues are coming to the fore, the experience of endurance races as Appenninica is the perfect metaphor for situations like this, in which it is necessary to make renunciations and sacrifices in order to reach the goal” Milena Bettocchi of organizing company Asd Happy Trail MTB explained.
“We are confident that Appenninica will be able to take place as planned, in the special atmosphere that characterized the first edition. We believe it is important to think positive, especially in moments like this. At the same time, we are keeping a very close eye on the COVID-19 emergency and developments, and we feel the responsibility of going the extra mile to reassure our registered participants and those who are considering to join”.
Making choices in this moment can be tough, and that’s why Appenninica has decided to make some important changes in both its registration and cancellation policies.
The organizers have decided to eliminate the “Late Registration” price bracket altogether and, therefore, apply the “Regular Registration” fee from now until registration closes.
The cancellation policy is instead modified accordingly to the following:
Should Appenninica be canceled by the organizer due to the COVID-19 emergency, the participation fee isn’t lost, and it will become a credit for the participant to take part in a later 2020 race or, should postponing not be possible, towards the 2021 edition.
Should an athlete withdraw from the 2020 edition – July or the postponed date – due to reasons linked to the COVID-19 health emergency and backed by objective and proven reasons, in such event the participation fee will be rolled over to the 2021 event.
All riders registered have the option to cancel according to the cancellation policy at the time, or to roll over their registration as a full credit towards the new 2020 date or 2021 event.
In the uncertainty caused by the virus, Appenninica wants to give a certainty to its athletes: no one will lose their participation fee because of COVID-19.
by Appenninica MTB | Mar 5, 2020 | Highlights, Press Releases (2020)
105 km and over 4,200 meters of elevation gain: plenty of fun and suffering in the fourth stage of Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race, from Fanano to Castelnovo ne’ Monti. It will be one of the hardest stages of the whole 2020 MTB season
There will be plenty to discover and plenty to conquer through the 458 km of the 2020 edition of Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race, facing continuous gradients up and down, scattered all over the seven stages from July 19th to 25th, dealing with dirt roads, stones and single trails.
However, there is a date circled in red by all the Appenninica’s braves: Wednesday, July 22nd, the day of stage 4, the Queen stage of this edition. 105 km from Fanano (Modena) to Castelnovo ne’ Monti (Reggio Emilia) with over 4200 meters of elevation gain. The elevation gain to kilometres ratio makes the Queen Stage of Appenninica one of the hardest of all the stage races in 2020: a reason of extra pride for those who will be able to complete it.
“The interpretation of this stage won’t be easy – Course Director Luca Bortolotti explained -. After the start in Fanano, we will head towards the Mount Cimone, a climb mainly in tarmac of almost 18 kilometers with fairly constant gradient. The last part will be on a forest road and we will move on a ridge that will precede the first long descent towards Pievepelago, all on trail, and a final part on an old mule track, with many curves”.
“It is important to recover in this section as in Pievepelago a new ascent begins along the Rio Perticara that leads to the Passo del Saltello: another long climb on a trail. In fact, from kilometer 30 to 95 we will have 90% of dirt roads, which will test the abilities of the athletes with many pitfalls and no space to breathe”.
“After descending to Civago, riders will find one of the most beautiful and fascinating trails of the whole week. From Civago, they will climb up through a long cross, very technical and full of “ups and downs”, sure to be felt in the riders’ legs aster 70 km. The athletes will then arrive in Rescadore with a fast section, with many changes of pace on a surface full of stones and obstacles. From there another long ascent runs alongside the refuge Mount Orsaro and ends on the Passo della Cisa, where the riders will be able to breathe for a few moments. A trail leads up to the medieval village of Sologno and then to the bridge that crosses the Secchia river, from where it is possible to admire the Bismantova Rock. They will then return on asphalt on the provincial road until the finish of Castelnovo ne’ Monti”.
The stage winner will take six to six and half hours to finish the race, “but even the most trained riders will have to suffer”, Bortolotti said. But the true nature of Appenninica is to win the challenge with yourself, regardless the GC position. That’s why Appenninica opted to abolish the time limit for the two stages longer than 100 km. “We want everyone to come to Appenninica with the desire of testing themselves and give them the opportunity to succeed. We are their main supporters” Bortolotti concluded.
On the day, the bikers will race in the midst of the Parmigiano Reggiano production area, and a breathtaking scenary will frame their efforts on the MTB. It is not by coincidence that the Tuscan and Emilian Apennines, where the majority of the Appenninica action unfolds, were chosen by the UNESCO as MAB Reserve (Man and the Biosphere) to promote a balanced relationship between man and the environment through the protection of biodiversity and good practices of sustainable development.
by Appenninica MTB | Feb 21, 2020 | Highlights, Press Releases, Press Releases (2020)
There are many ways to live the experience in the Emilian Apennines from July 19th to 25th, with the full-service formula and quality extras. On February 29th the “regular registration” period ends
Race plus adventure: that’s the formula that inspired the concepts the Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race organizers to create a unique mix of unexplored trails, scenic beauties, steep climbs and technical descents, all to discover in an unforgettable week, from July 19th to 25th. But the journey is only part of the experience.
As in the first edition and following the standards of the main international MTB stages races, Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race is a “full service” race. Within the registration fee, athletes are provided services such as accommodation, dinners, refreshments and everything else necessary to face the adventure, focusing only on enjoying it in full.
As traditional for marathon stage races, the athletes will be offered inside dormitories set up in the host locations for the overnight stays. However, those who want to treat themselves with some extra comfort will have access to two hotel options, of different levels, with an additional cost.
In a territory with a great gastronomic tradition such as the Emilian Apennines, house of the main sponsor Parmigiano Reggiano, every day Appenninica offers its participants breakfasts and dinners with typical products of the area, with attention also to vegetarian diets. In addition, riders will find a well-deserved lunch based on fruits and carbohydrates at the end of each stage.
Refreshments, complete or liquid, will be offered during the stages. Fresh fruit and dried fruit, sweet and savory bread, tarts, energy bars and gels, isotonic sports drinks with salts, water and cola will be available in the complete refreshments, while gel and energy drinks will be offered in the liquid ones.
A one-week stage race can be very stressful for a bike, and that’s why an emergency mechanical repairs of emergency and lubrication point will be located at one of the refreshments area on the route, while self-service bikes washing will be available at the end of the stage with hydro-low pressure cleaning machines. The safe bike park, guarded day and night, is available to every competitor, each of whom will be equipped with a GPS tracker to ensure maximum safety, to monitor the position in the race at all times, and be able to detect any problems and take action if needed.
For those less accustomed to bicycle maintenance, it will also be possible to get some help from the mechanical assistance service out of the race, at an extra cost: the mechanics will wait for the bike at the end of each effort, to return it in perfect condition the next morning.
Also muscles need care after the efforts of Appenninica: for those who want to treat their muscles after the fatigues of day, a guided stretching with a certified Yoga instructor will be held, while massages of 25 minutes with a physiotherapist will be available as an optional package.
The organizers of Appenninica thought of many ways to customize the race experience, also for those who want to live the experience not on the bike, alongside their beloved ones. For those who want to face the adventure accompanied by not-participating wife and children or wish to add a few days of relax to the efforts of Appenninica MTB Parmigiano Reggiano Stage Race, Tourissimo-Active Travel in Italy offers the possibility to arrive a few days in advance for a short SPA holiday in Alto Reno Terme (Porretta) or to stop after the race to explore the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Bologna and the delicacies of the Parmigiano Reggiano dairies.
“Supporter” and “touristic” packages are thought for non-racers. The first allows access to the Race Village and its services, while giving the opportunity to follow the race from inside; the second is designed to be a “real” holiday pack, with its own program parallel to that of the race. Every day is possible to discover something new and special, before heading to the finish area in order not to miss the last meters of the stage of the favorite athlete.
