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

With just over four months to go until the opening stage of Appenninica MTB Stage Race, ASD Happy Trail MTB already has a significant achievement to celebrate: the maximum number of participants for the 2026 edition has been reached – and slightly exceeded –...

From June 22–26, 2026, the Emilia-Romagna Apennines will take center stage over 310 km and 11,000 meters of total climbing. The race villages of Lizzano in Belvedere, Riolunato, and the grand finale in Castelnovo ne’ Monti are confirmed

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