Race today, itinerary tomorrow: how Appenninica MTB is opening Emilia-Romagna’s undiscovered Apennines to global cyclo-tourism

Race today, itinerary tomorrow: how Appenninica MTB is opening Emilia-Romagna’s undiscovered Apennines to global cyclo-tourism

The Emilia-Romagna Apennines are betting on summer outdoor tourism to breathe new life into local economies and counter depopulation. Appenninica MTB Stage Race (June 22–26, 2026) is already pulling in foreign tour operators, with a German agency set to follow in the tracks of a Polish group that made the trip in 2025.

Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2026 set for a record-breaking eighth edition

Nearly 200 riders from 30 Countries will tackle Italy’s premier MTB stage race from June 22-26. Lizzano in Belvedere, Riolunato and Castelnovo ne’ Monti will host the eighth edition, presented today at the Emilia-Romagna Region headquarters in Bologna. “Appenninica is a major opportunity to tell the story of Emilia-Romagna through its landscapes, nature and local communities,” says Regional Sports and Tourism Minister Roberta Frisoni