[BikeRumor] Friday Roundup: Longest road climb, UPS e-bikes, Italian MTB stage racing & more!

Fresh off the 2025 edition, Appenninica MTB Stage Race is already looking ahead. The next chapter of the Italian stage race will take place from June 22nd to 26th, 2026, keeping its five-stage format. Early Bird entries go live on July 2nd

Colombian Diego Arias secures his second overall title after 2022, while Dutch rider Lola Bakker prevails in the women’s race after a week-long battle with Syd Schulz. Spica wins final stage and climbs to third overall.

Another dramatic turnaround in the women’s race as Lola Bakker claims her third stage win, building a commanding advantage

Diego Arias wins High Mountain Queen Stage, extending his lead in Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2025. Saitta remains second, with Massimo Rosa taking third on the day.

Lola Bakker responds after Tuesday’s setback, while Syd Schulz manages to limit the damage

Third different winner in as many stages at Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2025: Andrea Candeago claims victory in Riolunato, outsprinting Vincenzo Saitta and teammate Diego Arias to secure the win that eluded him in Vidiciatico.

In the women’s race, Syd Schulz snatches the leader’s jersey from Lola Bakker

After a strong debut, Sicilian rider Vincenzo Saitta wins Stage 2 of Appenninica, outsprinting Diego Arias and Andrea Candeago in Vidiciatico

Diego Arias drops Saitta, and finishes ahead of Becking and the Italian

Lola Bakker edges Schulz in a heated women’s contest

Tomorrow, Monday June 23rd, the 2025 edition of Appenninica MTB Stage Race kicks off from Lizzano in Belvedere. Through Friday June 27th, 117 riders will battle across 315 kilometers and nearly 12,000 meters of elevation gain. Hans Becking and Diego Arias are the men to watch, while the women’s field is wide open with no clear favorite.

From June 23-27, the Emilia-Romagna Apennines will collect the attention of international MTB lovers with 118 participants from 22 different Countries. The Netherlands and Italy lead the field, while South America is getting more represented year after year