Five-time Cape Epic champion, seven-time Transalp winner, and three-time German National Marathon Cross Country champion, Karl Platt has confirmed his participation in the 2025 Appenninica MTB Stage Race, scheduled for June 23–27. As one of the most decorated MTB Marathon athletes of the past two decades, the German mountain biking legend will make his debut on the trails of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, adding another chapter to his storied career.

Platt recently claimed victory in the Cape Epic Master category alongside partner Calle Friberg, proving that his competitive form is still world-class.

“This year’s Cape Epic tested us with extreme weather conditions, from scorching heat to heavy rain. I’m thrilled with our win—after twenty-one editions, I’m still learning. Now it’s time for a bit of rest before I shift focus to new adventures,” said Platt.

First on his calendar is the Appenninica MTB Stage Race. The German rider will line up in Lizzano in Belvedere, eager to explore new trails and terrain.

“While I’m very familiar with racing in Italy and I love the Alps, exploring the Apennines will be a completely new experience. I’ve heard great things about the Appenninica MTB Stage Race over the years, and when my friend Hans Becking suggested I take part this year, I couldn’t say no. I’m really looking forward to challenging myself on these new and exciting trails,” Platt commented.

Racing in the Master category, Platt will face tough competition, including two-time defending champion Juul Van Loon. Among the most fierce competitors might also be Sydney 2000 Olympic gold medalist Miguel Martinez, who’ s weighing in on giving Appenninica a third shot.

A Bulls brand ambassador, Platt added: “I’ve heard wonderful things about the family atmosphere at Appenninica, and I’m excited to experience it firsthand. But I know that once I pin on the number, race mode kicks in—it’s just who I am.“

They say you always return to places where you’ve found joy and success, and that’s certainly true for Martino Tronconi and Diego Arias Cuervo. Having previously experienced the Emilia-Romagna Apennine trails, they had no doubt in committing to the 2025 edition of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race.

Martino Tronconi’s Metallurgica Veneta MTB Pro Team will field a competitive four-rider squad for the June 23-27, 2025, event. Leading the charge is Diego Arias Cuervo, who claimed victory at Appenninica in 2022. The Colombian star aims to challenge back to back defending champion Hans Becking, supported by a strong lineup featuring Jacopo Billi, Massimo Rosa, and Andrea Candeago.

“The Appenninica MTB Stage Race truly deserves high praise,” notes Martino Tronconi, who raced in 2023 and is now the manager of the Metallurgica Veneta MTB Pro Team. “We couldn’t fit it into our packed schedule last year, but this year’s June date works perfectly—right after the Hero Südtirol Dolomites and World Cup events, and before the Italian Championship. We’re coming to perform well and build form for the remainder of the season.”

The Metallurgica Veneta MTB Pro Team kicked off its 2025 campaign at the Andalucia Bike Race (February 24-March 1), with Diego Arias’s arrival generating significant buzz around Tronconi’s team.

“Diego Arias will help elevate our international standing. He’s extremely motivated about returning to Appenninica MTB Stage Race, and I expect him and Hans Becking to be the riders to watch. Having teammates at his disposal gives Diego an extra tactical advantage, though I suspect Jacopo Billi will be targeting a stage win”, Tronconi explains.

Following his 2022 victory, Diego Arias Cuervo had to withdraw at the last minute in 2023, but now returns with clear ambitions. He’s expected to battle with Hans Becking across all five stages, covering the full 320 km course with its 12,200 meters of elevation gain.

“I’m thrilled to be heading back to the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, which gave me such incredible memories when I won in 2022. My goal is to surpass my previous performance and fight for the podium. This edition looks technically demanding, and I’m ready to push my limits. Appenninica ranks among the most beautiful and challenging races out there, and I’m eager to test myself against the competition again. I’m bringing full motivation and determination to continue my success story”, says Diego Arias Cuervo.

Three host venues, including one new addition, five stages, 320 kilometres, and 12,200 meters of elevation gain are the key figures for the 2025 Appenninica MTB Stage Race. The Italian mountain bike stage race has announced its challenging 2025 route, connecting the mountain towns of Lizzano in Belvedere and Castelnovo ne’ Monti, with the newly added Riolunato in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines.

Set for June 23-27, the 2025 edition marks a strategic shift from previous years, moving earlier in the calendar and condensing the race from six stages to an intense five-day format. The organizers from A.S.D Happy Trail MTB have designed a route that revisits the most beautiful and acclaimed stages from previous editions, treating athletes to spectacular views of the Emilia-Romagna Apennine ridge from the very first kilometers.

The race will start from Lizzano in Belvedere, a location featured in previous editions but hosting the grand départ for the first time, while Riolunato in the Modena province makes its debut appearance. The race’s finish location, Castelnovo ne’ Monti, further emphasizes Appenninica’s significance in Italy’s cycling landscape, as it will also host a stage finish of the 2025 Giro d’Italia. This connection to cycling’s Grand Tours continues Appenninica’s tradition of sharing venues with prestigious road cycling events, following Bologna’s hosting of both the 2024 race start and a historic Tour de France stage.

Race organizers A.S.D Happy Trail MTB have crafted a route that combines fan-favorite sections from previous editions with new challenges. “We’ve designed this year’s course to be intense from day one,” said race co-organizers Milena Bettocchi and Beppe Salerno. “By incorporating the most acclaimed segments from our 2023 edition – widely considered our best yet – and adding the exciting new venue of Riolunato in Modena Province, we’re confident this will be an unforgettable experience for every rider.”

THE STAGES: FIVE DAYS OF HIGH INTENSITY

The battle begins immediately with a demanding opener around Lizzano in Belvedere on Monday, June 23, 2025. The 58 km route with 2,300 meters of elevation gain explores the Corno alle Scale area, a mountain beloved by Bologna residents.

The second stage is another loop around Lizzano in Belvedere, this time offering more flow with 49 km and 2,200 meters of climbing within the Monte Pizzo area, featuring some of Appenninica’s most technical and beloved trails.

Wednesday’s stage (June 25, 2025) takes the race to Riolunato over 64 km and 2,750 meters of elevation gain. The route partially follows the 2024 stage that finished in Fiumalbo, crossing the Corno alle Scale and Monte Cimone areas with the addition of Passo del Lupo.

The fourth stage from Riolunato to Castelnovo ne’ Monti is the highly anticipated High Mountain Queen Stage, covering 89 km with 3,100 meters of climbing. Riders will tackle the Via Vandelli immediately before climbing to altitude and crossing some of Emilia-Romagna Apennines’ most beautiful ridges, enjoying unique panoramas.

The final stage follows the traditional loop around Castelnovo ne’ Monti, through Matilde di Canossa’s lands at the foot of the Bismantova Rock. At 58 km with 1,850 meters of elevation gain, this stage is far from easy and provides the perfect terrain for final standings shake-ups or decisive moves.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Regular Registration remains open until March 31, 2025, with prices increasing from April 1. As in recent editions, the organizers have confirmed the individual format and a cap of 150 participants – a choice aimed at preventing trail overcrowding and ensuring high-quality race support for all participants.

THE ROUTE

Stage 1 – Corno alle Scale – 58 km and 2,300 m elevation gain

Monday, June 23: Lizzano in Belvedere – Lizzano in Belvedere

Stage 2 – Monte Pizzo Trails – 49 km and 2,200 m elevation gain

Tuesday, June 24: Lizzano in Belvedere – Lizzano in Belvedere

Stage 3 – Emilia Romagna Peaks – 64 km and 2,750 m elevation gain

Wednesday, June 25: Lizzano in Belvedere – Riolunato

Stage 4 – High Mountain Queen Stage – 89 km and 3,100 m elevation gain

Thursday, June 26: Riolunato – Castelnovo ne’ Monti

Stage 5 – La Matildica – 58 km and 1,850 m elevation gain

Friday, June 27: Castelnovo ne’ Monti – Castelnovo ne’ Monti

Appenninica MTB Stage Race announces significant changes for 2025, set to deliver an even more intense and exciting racing experience. After four years in early September, Italy’s premier mountain bike stage race shifts to early summer, with the next edition scheduled for June 23-27, 2025.

The race format sees the second major update. Appenninica MTB Stage Race will now feature five stages, aligning with Europe’s leading events while maintaining its identity as one of international mountain biking’s most challenging stage races. Riders will tackle 330 kilometers and 12,000 meters of climbing through the stunning Emilia-Romagna Apennines.

“Our calendar move responds to increasingly crowded September scheduling, particularly with the 2025 MTB Marathon World Championships which would have overlapped with our second weekend,” explain race co-organizers Milena Bettocchi and Beppe Salerno.

“The shift to five days reflects direct feedback from current and potential participants, bringing us in line with major events in our sector. What remains unchanged is our unique ‘Appenninica Family’ atmosphere and our commitment to showcasing extraordinary, undiscovered trails,” the organizers added.

With 2025 dates now confirmed, registration is set to open. The Early Bird phase offers 50 entries at a special rate of €990, available from Sunday, December 1st to December 31st, or until sold out. Appenninica MTB Stage Race provides full-service racing, with entry fees covering accommodation, feed zones and meals, medical support, bike washing, stage transfers, and additional services (complete details at appenninica-mtb.com).

The event maintains its 150-rider cap to preserve trail conditions and ensure premium service standards. While riders compete individually, Appenninica’s essence lies in shared experiences – from start lines to host towns and communal dinners. The Emilia-Romagna Apennines have witnessed countless lasting friendships, with more connections waiting to be forged.

Fresh from the 2024 Appenninica MTB Stage Race (September 2-7), memories of this epic six-day mountain bike adventure remain vivid for all participants. The story of one of Europe’s premier stage races now comes to YouTube as a six-episode series, launching Thursday, November 7th.

Produced by The Outdoor Lab, the series takes viewers to the heart of the action. New episodes will be released every Thursday at 18:30 CET on Appenninica’s YouTube channel, starting November 7th, with each installment focusing on one stage of the race. The series follows the intense competition through Nina Brenn and Hans Becking‘s victories in the women’s and men’s categories.

The race traversed the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, beginning with Bologna’s iconic San Luca climb and winding through Loiano, Lizzano in Belvedere, and Fiumalbo before its finale in Castelnovo ne’ Monti. Beyond the competition itself, the series captures personal triumphs and emotional journeys, showcasing the determination of every participant in this formidable challenge.

In line with the event’s Stage Analysis tradition, the series emphasizes the human stories that have defined Appenninica since its 2019 debut. While showcasing the race’s challenges, each episode celebrates the participants’ spirit and determination. The series also highlights the Emilia-Romagna Apennines’ distinctive charm, from its landscapes and local cuisine to its characteristic villages and warm hospitality.

Appenninica MTB Stage Race, one of Emilia-Romagna’s major sporting events, continues its longstanding partnership with the Region to promote the Apennine territory, an area whose beauty and potential remain largely unexplored by the wider public.