2024 will be a magical year for Bologna as the capital of Emilia-Romagna gears up for 12 months of major sporting events, with cycling taking the spotlight.

After the much-anticipated Tour de France stage finish on June 30th, the fat wheels of Mountain Biking will also have their moment under the Two Towers. Indeed, on Monday, September 2nd, 2024, the official start of the sixth edition of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, the most important Italian MTB stage race, will be given in Bologna, where the event’s maiden edition had already taken the start back in 2019.

The Madonna di San Luca hill, the iconic setting of the Appenninica time trial in 2019 and of this year’s Tour de France finish, is set to welcome Italy’s most prestigious MTB stage event opening act once again in 2024.

On Monday, September 2nd, the stage race on the the Emilia-Romagna Apennines’ trails will kick off from the Meloncello Arch, facing the famous San Luca ascent. Curiously, the Giro d’Italia opening time trial had taken place on this climb in 2019, few months before the Appenninica’s debut: this time, it will be the Tour de France paving the way to the Sanctuary for the MTB stage race.

On the eve day, September 1st, will see Bologna brimming with the Appenninica MTB Stage Race’s essence as the city center becomes the hub for the pre-race fervor. Right after the start of stage 1, the race will head towards the heart of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines through the famous “ Via degli Dei”, the historic hiking trail connecting Bologna to Florence, crossed by thousands of trekking enthusiasts every year.

“In a year that will go down in history for the Tour de France passing, we are proud to welcome the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, an event that brings athletes and fans from around the world to our Apennines, and on a consistent growing curve. Not only does the city host a significant sporting event, but this symbolically strengthens the bond with the surrounding territory, reinforcing our commitment to a tourism strategy that benefits the broader metropolitan landscape,” says Mattia Santori, President of the Bologna-Modena Tourism Territory.

“Another significant sporting event will spotlight Bologna in this milestone year for cycling and cycle-tourism in 2024, with numerous biking initiatives, several of them related to the Tour de France’s passage. As usual, the city and the whole area will be ready to welcome the riders and everybody who will seize this opportunity to explore our region”, says Roberta Li Calzi, Bologna’s Councilor for Sport and Budget.

“Returning  to Bologna for the 2024 Appenninica MTB Stage Race start is a privilege. The city, a symbol of Emilia-Romagna’s heart, reaffirms its affinity for cycling and elite sporting events. For us, featuring in a program that includes the Tour de France is a further reason for pride”, say the organizers of Appenninica MTB Stage Race Milena Bettocchi and Beppe Salerno.

After a very successful 2023 edition, the Appenninica MTB Stage Race is set to return. In its first five editions, this stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines has established itself as the premier Italian event in multi-day mountain bike racing and has become one of the most anticipated events at the European level. The next adventure is scheduled for September 2-7, 2024.

Similar to last year, the sixth edition of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race will unfold over six stages, a format that was well-received for its logistical efficiency and for enhancing the spectacle of one of the most challenging competitions in the mountain bike stage racing scene.

“The essential elements will all be back, with the course as the central feature: it’s as demanding as true mountain biking should be, with the Apennines of Emilia-Romagna always in the starring role. We aim to grow step by step, and for 2024 we are already considering some innovative ideas that will make the experience and beauty of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines even more captivating,” said Milena Bettocchi and Beppe Salerno, co-organizers of the race.

REGISTRATION COMMENCES ON DECEMBER 1

The announcement of the 2024 dates coincides with the opening of registration. The “Early Bird” phase is set to begin on Friday, December 1, offering a maximum of 50 registrations at a discounted rate of 1,350€ until December 31 or until all spots are taken.

Appenninica MTB Stage Race is a full-service event, with the entry fee covering not just the race bib but also accommodation, meals and refreshments, medical care, bike wash, transfers between stages, and other services (full details at appenninica-mtb.com).

To maintain the quality of the experience, registration is capped at 150 participants, preventing trail overcrowding and ensuring high standards of race support for everyone. The 2024 edition will also continue the individual race format, adding to the intensity and excitement of the challenge.

Hans Becking and Debora Piana are the winners of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023. Protagonists from day one, the 37-year-old Dutch rider from Buff-Megamo Team becomes the first male athlete to win the race on the Emilia-Romagna Apennines twice, following his first victory in 2020. On the other hand, the 34-year-old Italian from Team Cingolani-Specialized took the leader’s jersey on day two and never looked back, extending her lead over her pursuers and maintaining control throughout.

In the men’s category, the 2023 edition ended just as it began, with Hans Becking triumphantly raising his arms as he crossed the finish line. The Buff-Megamo rider dominated the entire week and secured a significant lead in stage 4, with the finish line in Fanano. Today, on September 9th, in Vidiciatico, Becking completed the 36 km loop with a 1500 m elevation gain in 1:44:12. He distanced himself from Ferreira and Tronconi just before the finish of lap 1, securing his third win out of six stages. Behind him, Portuguese rider Tiago Ferreira trailed by 2:16, and fellow Dutchman Tim Smeenge by 2:43.

Hans Becking and Debora Piana are the winners of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023. Protagonists from day one, the 37-year-old Dutch rider from Buff-Megamo Team becomes the first male athlete to win the race on the Emilia-Romagna Apennines twice, following his first victory in 2020. On the other hand, the 34-year-old Italian from Team Cingolani-Specialized took the leader’s jersey on day two and never looked back, extending her lead over her pursuers and maintaining control throughout.

In the men’s category, the 2023 edition ended just as it began, with Hans Becking triumphantly raising his arms as he crossed the finish line. The Buff-Megamo rider dominated the entire week and secured a significant lead in stage 4, with the finish line in Fanano. Today, on September 9th, in Vidiciatico, Becking completed the 36 km loop with a 1500 m elevation gain in 1:44:12. He distanced himself from Ferreira and Tronconi just before the finish of lap 1, securing his third win out of six stages. Behind him, Portuguese rider Tiago Ferreira trailed by 2:16, and fellow Dutchman Tim Smeenge by 2:43.

ITALY REGAINS THE WOMEN’S CROWN WITH DEBORA PIANA

Throughout the week, the women’s category closely mirrored the men’s competition. Debora Piana from Team Cingolani-Specialized displayed her dominance from stage two, securing three consecutive wins, starting with the pivotal victory in the Mountain Queen Stage from Castelnovo ne’ Monti to Fiumalbo. Behind her, Kristina Ilina also delivered a strong performance, claiming the other three wins and finishing as the runner-up.

The Russian rider from DMT Racing Team secured her third victory today in Vidiciatico, ahead of Piana and Swiss rider Nina Brenn, who oddly finished third in every stage of the week. In the overall classification, the Italian finished with a 28:16 lead over Ilina and a 2:12:17 gap on Brenn.

“It was a very demanding week, and I’m happy that my efforts have been rewarded with the overall win. I’m glad to have participated in Appenninica: in the first stage, I closely observed my opponents and started to push from the Queen Stage, which was my primary goal. After that, the lead allowed me to control the pace. It was my first time in a six-day race, and it was a great experience. I hope to come back next year to defend the title,” said Debora Piana at the conclusion.

THE FINAL RESULTS OF APPENNINICA

Throughout the week, many riders competed vigorously in the various categories available: Master (over 40 years old), Grand Master (over 50), and Great Grand Master (over 60). The Master’s category was claimed by another Dutch athlete, Juul Van Loon, who won the gold medal ahead of Germany’s Holger Schaarmschmidt (+13:09) and Sydney 2000 Olympic champion Miguel Martinez (+1:21:02), who won the last stage after struggling with a strong cold during the first part of the week.

In the Grand Master’s category, Italian rider Emiliano Amalberti secured victory over Swiss rider Martin Steiert (6:53) and Swedish rider Erik Vrang (45:47). Among the Great Grandmasters, Austria claimed the top two spots with Maximilian Zdouc and Rudolf Springer (1:41:12). The third-place finish went to Polish rider Piotr Sozanski.

THE ORGANIZATION’S WRAP-UP

With the fifth edition finally in the books, it’s time for the organization to provide an overview of the entire week. The team at ASD Happy Trail MTB has been growing and improving year after year, raising the bar even in terms of logistics. The organization’s hard work received high praise from the athletes: the race sold out all 150 available bibs, and enthusiastic comments poured in throughout the week, thanks to the breathtaking landscapes, challenging and enjoyable trails, and the high quality of the food and drinks and Italian hospitality.

“We have been growing year after year, and we have always strived to add improvements to enhance the overall rider experience. Once again this year, we have received great feedback about the trails, the views, and the flavors of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines. We are already working on the 2024 edition, with our goal being to continually enhance the overall adventure and make the Appenninica MTB Stage Race even more appreciated on the national and international stage,” said co-organizers Milena Bettocchi and Beppe Salerno.