Champions never give up, and Tiago Ferreira lived up to this pattern today, September 8th, in the penultimate day of Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023, from Fanano to Vidiciatico. Even though the chances of getting back to the first position were getting thinner and thinner, the Portuguese rider went all-in and played his cards, eventually winning the 5th stage solo. Right behind him was GC leader Hans Becking, who surrendered 11” but is still in possession of the blue jersey with a solid 9:27 gap.

As it happened in most of the stages, the duo Ferreira-Becking set the pace since the very first pedal strokes. The DMT Racing Team athlete forced the rhythm on the Colombino Pass, with his rival of the Buff-Megamo Team being the only one able to stay connected. As the kilometers went by, Ferreira knew his chances kept shrinking, but he didn’t give up on getting the daily win: the final time was 3:26:09.

First podium of the week for Italian Federico Mandelli, arrived in Vidiciatico with a 5:15 gap on the winner, ahead of Tim Smeenge (7:36) and Bart Classens (12:54). In the GC, behind the usual suspects in position 1 and 2, Tim Smeenge confirmed his third place (33:08) over Classens and Kaufmann.

“It was a tough stage since the beginning, I have tried to attack immediately but I couldn’t drop Hans so we went together until the end. Unfortunately, there’s no more time to attack: tomorrow will be a fun stage and I will try to enjoy as much as possible. It was a great week and a great race: all MTB riders should take part in Appenninica once in their life”, said Ferreira at the end.

ILINA’S PRIDE IN VIDICIATICO

Kristina Ilina took her second success of the week, following the one in the opening stage. The Russian athlete of DMT Racing Team put up a solid performance and crossed the finish line in Vidiciatico in 4:07:40. Behind her, the GC leader Debora Piana suffered from a 12:24 delay, but the overall gap between the first two positions is still 30:13.

The stage started with the Italian of Team Cingolani-Specialized riding strong and taking the lead, but Ilina came back and took over the lead. Piana also crashed with no consequences, and kept the gap under control until the finish line. Third position once again for Swiss Nina Brenn, who occupies the same spot also in the GC.

“I feel better and better with the days going by, so today I thought about pushing and trying to win the stage. It is my first stage race on multiple days and the outcome is really satisfying overall. I had a lot of fun and will enjoy the ride one more time tomorrow”, commented Ilina in Vidiciatico.

GRAN FINALE IN LIZZANO IN BELVEDERE

Tomorrow, 9th September, Appenninica MTB Stage Race will showcase its last stage: 36 km and 1500 m of elevation gain with start and finish in Vidiciatico, hamlet of Lizzano in Belvedere. The “Monte Pizzo” route consists of a loop on the paths of the local bike park, putting at stake the last stage win and the craved finisher’s medal.

The Dutch domination continues at Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023: the Orange patrol keeps raking both in the GC and in the single stage finishes. Out if its 33 riders in the race (the Netherlands are the most represented Country at Appenninica 2023), it was Tim Smeenge to take the win today, September 7th, from Fiumalbo to Fanano. The Dutch MTB Marathon National Champion sprinted over GC leader Hans Becking, who managed to extend his lead on his closest rival, Tiago Ferreira.

On the 59 km with 2350 m of elevation gain of the “Cimone Challenge”, winding through the ski area of Mount Cimone, the Dutch duo arrived together in the heart of Fanano. Smeenge started to push from the very beginning followed by Tiago Ferreira, while Becking chose not to elevate his pace and kept going with his own rhythm. With the kilometers going by, the Portuguese of DMT Racing Team lost track of Smeenge, while Becking made his way back and finished together with Smeenge.

On the finish line in Fanano, Smeenge stopped the time in 2:58:01, right in front of the Buff-Megamo Team rider, while Ferreira reported a 7:19 gap. Rounding out the top 5 were Felix Fritzsch and Bart Classens. In the General Classification, Becking extended his lead to 9:38 over Ferreira, with Smeenge solid third (25:44) over Bart Classens (38:41) and Lukas Kaufmann (42:43).

“I’m very satisfied with my race and my day: it was nice to win and to extend the gap over Bart Classens, to secure the third place. I felt great from the beginning, and after the first climb I already had some cushion. I kept going with my pace until the second descent, when Becking got back and we rode together until the finish line”, said Smeenge on the finish line.

DEBORA PIANA MAKES THE HAT-TRICK

Debora Piana of Team Cingolani-Specialized takes the third consecutive win at Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023. The Italian took off in the first kilometres of stage 4 and on the first climb went already out of reach for all her opponents. Behind her were once again Russian Kristina Ilina and Swiss Nina Brenn.

It took 3:49:01 for Debora Piana to complete the stage from Fiumalbo to Fanano: in the GC, the lead is now of 42:37 on Ilina, and of over two hours on Nina Brenn.

“I was in the front in no time, and this has allowed me to control the pace for the rest of the stage. I’m now in a great position: I think I can manage my gap on the second place without taking unnecessary risks in the last two stages”, commented Piana in Fanano.

“APPENNINICA DISTILLED” TO KEEP THE GAMES OPEN

The penultimate stage of Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023 will be held tomorrow, September 8th, over 61 km and 2500 m of elevation gain from Fanano to Vidiciatico, hamlet of Lizzano in Belvedere. “Appenninica Distilled” combines technical and fun trails, probably the last chance to keep the race open for the GC. The Colombino Pass and the Croce Arcana Pass are the two climbs of the day, followed by single track downhills in the Corno alle Scale area, are the most challenging traits of stage 5.

New day, new stage, same result: Hans Becking and Tiago Ferreira keep being number 1 and 2 of this Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023. In the third stage held today, 6th September, with 79 km and 2350 m of elevation gain starting and finishing in Fanano, crossing the border with Tuscany for the very first time, the Dutch athlete of Buff-Megamo Team left his second mark of this edition, closely chased by the Portuguese of DMT Racing Team.

Their pace seemed once again too high for all other riders, and the fil-rouge of the race followed the pevious days’ once. After a group start with the leading duo, Bart Classens, Lukas Kaufmann and Tim Smeenge, Becking and Ferreira dropped the opponents once passed the Abetone area in the Ducale della Foce climb, and arrived together in 3:46:52.

Behind them, the fight for bronze is getting spicy. Bart Classens took today’s third place with a 4’00 gap, followed by Lukas Kaufmann (4th, X:XX) and Tim Smeenge (5th, X:XX). In the GC, Becking leads with 2’19” on Ferreira, while there are four riders chasing the last step on the podium. Dutch National MTB Marathon champion Smeenge is the new temporary third place (25’44”): fellow Dutchman Bart Classens is only 4” behind, while Lukas Kaufmann and Martino Tronconi trail by less than 5’ from the third place.

“The race is hard and very technical, but I’m in the position that I wanted to be halfway in the week. We are both there on the same level, it will be a matter of details and the final outcome can still change a lot. I can’t point out what will be the decisive moment, we might even get to the last stage with this gap and the we will have to see in the last kilometers”, argued Becking at the finish line.

DEBORA PIANA TAKES OFF IN THE WOMEN’S CATEGORY   

Second consecutive win for Debora Piana of Team Cingolani-Specialized. The Italian brought home both stages with finish line in Fiumalbo on September 5th and 6th, first taking the leader jersey and then securing it with a solid X:XX gap on the first chaser on Russian Kristina Ilina.

In the third stage, Piana showed great shape and immediately got a little advantage on Ilina since the start, but the DMT Racing Team rider got back and took the lead at about the first Feed Zone (km 29). However, the Italian athlete rode her way back in the leading position and didn’t look back, finishing in X:XX . Ilina arrived second with X:XX gap, while Swiss athlete Nina Brenn, third place in each stage and in the GC, ended her day X.XX behind Piana.

“It’s great to have confirmed yesterday’s win in the Queen Stage with another strong performance. I probably could have earned even more time on the second place, but I’m still really happy with my day. I’m looking forward to having more fun in the upcoming days”, said Piana at the end.  

FROM FIUMALBO TO FANANO: IT’S TIME FOR THE CIMONE CHALLENGE

Stage 4 on September 7th, will take the peloton from Fiumalbo to Fanano through 62 km and 2350 m of elevation gain. The “Cimone Challenge” will take place almost entirely in the Mount Cimone Ski area, with a first ascent towards Pian Cavallaro, before the one leading to Sestola and Serre Pass. The finish line is in the heart of Fanano, right after the Fellicarolo climb.

They were expected to be the strongest riders of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023, and they are showing it day after day. Tiago Ferreira took the win of the Mountain Queen Stage, sprinting past the GC leader and winner of the opening stage, Hans Becking.

The second episode of Appenninica 2023 took place today, September 5th, starting from Castelnovo ne’ Monti and finishing in Fiumalbo. The 90 km and 3200 m of elevation gain were still not enough to determine who is the fastest among the two former teammates: the DMT Racing Team athlete took the win, but the Dutchman of Buff-Megamo Team crossed the finish line with the same time, keeping his leadership untouched.

As it happened in stage 1, Becking and Ferreira set the tone together with Tronconi and Smeenge. The strong group of escapees quickly took off and created a gap on the Cisa Pass and the Radici Pass. At around km 70, Becking tried to push and get another solo win, but Ferreira kept the pace and secured the win in the final sprint in Piazza Umberto I, in the heart of Fiumalbo. The Portuguese rider completed the Queen Stage in 4:27:18, immediately followed by Becking.

Third place went to the Dutch National MTB Marathon champion Tim Smeenge, with a gap of 2’31”, the same as Italian Martino Tronconi. Fifth place was claimed by Felix Fritzsch, 6’02” behind the winner. In the GC, Becking maintains the lead with 2’19” over Ferreira, 6’14” over Tronconi, 15’04” over Tim Smeenge, and 21:34 over Felix Fritzsch.

“It was a long stage with challenging climbs. We escaped with a small group and stayed together for most of the stage, until Hans tried to force the pace with 15 km to go, and on the Radici Pass, we were alone in the lead. It is an important win for me personally, as it allows me to increase the gap with the third position and keep Becking in sight. Today was a good day, but there are still four days to go, and a lot can happen,” argued Ferreira at the end.

DEBORA PIANA STRIKES BACK

After being the runner-up in the opening stage yesterday, September 4th, she had promised to come back and try to take the win in the toughest stage of the race. Debora Piana proved to be true to her word, and after a solid performance throughout the whole Queen Stage, she could raise her arms solo in Fiumalbo. Russian Kristina Ilina, the winner of stage 1, didn’t have her best day on the bike and secured a second position, but was far behind the new GC leader.

Indeed, the Italian rider of Team Cingolani Specialized managed to escape immediately and didn’t look back, calling it a day after 5:13:41. Behind her were Ilina, 26’36” late, and Nina Brenn, once again in the third position with a gap of 50’42”. Piana now leads in the women’s ranking with 26’09″ on Ilina, while Brenn has over one hour of delay.

“It was a great race day for me, both on the bike and with these landscapes. I felt good and after the first Feed Zone, I tried to push on the climb: Ilina didn’t follow, and then I just kept going strong to increase the gap. Now it is crucial to get the energies back and focus on the next four stages, which are still very challenging,” commented Debora Piana.

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Tomorrow, September 6th, will be a historical day for the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, as the route will cross the border with Tuscany for the first time ever. The “Tuscany Incipit” is a loop of 79 km and 2550 m of elevation gain, with the start and finish in Fiumalbo, winding through the natural beauties of the Abetone Bike Park.

Hans Becking secured the victory with Tiago Ferreira finishing as the runner-up, just like in 2020. However, on this 4th of September, the former teammates challenged each other in the opening stage of the 2023 Appenninica MTB Stage Race, which started and finished in Castelnovo ne’ Monti (Reggio Emilia). Becking and Ferreira were expected to be the primary contenders for the overall prize, and they demonstrated their intentions right from the start on the opening effort, “La Matildica“.

The battle was intense for almost 50 kilometers on the 57-kilometer route with an elevation gain of 1850 meters during the opening stage. Italian rider Martino Tronconi managed to keep pace with the leading duo until the final stretch of the race, where he was ultimately dropped and finished in third place. Five riders had set the pace at the start, with Dutchmen Bart Classens and Tim Smeenge briefly joining the frontrunners. However, around the 20-kilometer mark, the two Dutch riders lost ground and couldn’t regain the wake of the leaders.

Becking gradually built his lead over the last few kilometers. Following a daring descent just before the end, he put in a final surge on the last climb and crossed the finish line alone. In the men’s rankings, Becking leads with a time of 2:31:17, holding a 2’20” advantage over Ferreira and a 3’45” lead over Tronconi. 

Behind the podium, Classens and Smeenge maintained their positions as dark horses, with gaps of 11’27” and 12’34”, respectively. Lukas Kauffman (12’58”), Felix Fritzsch (15’34”), Holger Schaarschmidt (22’43”), Juul Van Loon (23’34”), and Lionel Poletti (23’43”) round out the top ten.

“I’m delighted to return to the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, and all the memories of my previous experiences and the breathtaking landscapes rushed back. I cherish this race with its challenging terrain and the high level of technical skill among the riders. It will be a demanding week, and tomorrow we already face the Queen Stage, a pivotal moment. Today, three of us set the pace, and I managed to launch an attack on a lengthy descent to secure the win,” said Hans Becking at the conclusion of the stage.

ILINA TAKES CENTER STAGE, PIANA CLOSE BEHIND

In the women’s category, Russian rider Kristina Ilina left her mark on the opening stage, finishing with a 36-second lead over Italian rider Debora Piana. Riding for the DMT Racing Team, Ilina kept up with the men’s peloton’s pace early on, and maintained her advantage until the finish line, crossing it after 3 hours, 20 minutes, and 12 seconds. Piana made an effort to catch up in the latter part of the stage but couldn’t completely bridge the gap with the leader, settling for the runner-up spot on the day.

Further behind this duo, Swiss cyclist Nina Brenn secured the third spot on the podium, trailing by 28 minutes and 59 seconds. Australian rider Imogen Smith (32’16”) and German cyclist Naima Diesner (35’02”), the winner of the past two editions of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, rounded out the top five.

“I’m extremely satisfied with my start. I could immediately tell that this is a challenging race, especially with those highly technical descents, but it’s also incredibly enjoyable to ride. I didn’t want to fall behind, so I tried to keep pace with the men’s group, and I succeeded in breaking away. I’m curious about what lies ahead, as I’ve never raced in such a long stage race, and I don’t really know what to expect. I’ll give it my all,” said the victorious Kristina Ilina.

QUEEN STAGE: HERE WE GO

If today’s opening stage served as a warm-up, tomorrow, September 5th, marks the longest day of the week. The Mountain Queen Stage boasts a challenging 90 kilometers with an elevation gain of 3200 meters, covering the entire route at high altitude. The finish line in Fiumalbo will provide a clearer picture of the riders’ skills and aspirations in the overall standings. For those with big overall goals, the time for hiding is already over.