DMT Racing Team ready to defend the Appenninica crown

Winner last year with Hans Becking, Andrea Marconi’s team will be at the start of the 2021 edition (September 12th-18th, 2021) with 2012 UCI MTB Marathon World Champion Ilias Periklis and German Vinzent Dorn

If winning is hard, repeating is even harder. Andrea Marconi’s DMT Racing Team is ready to defend the title won last year by Hans Becking on the trails of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines. From September 12th to 18th, 2021, the Italian team will take part in the 2021 Appenninica MTB Stage Race, with a duo formed by experienced Greek Ilias Periklis and 24-year-old German Vinzent Dorn.

“By just checking the route, it’s hard to claim our ambitions. Appenninica will offer a great chance to test ourselves on challenging routes and prepare for the UCI MTB Marathon World Championships on Elba Island, taking place a few weeks later on October 2nd, 2021. Being at Appenninica is also a way to support a growing and ambitious event, and we are pleased of the opportunity to join an all-Italian MTB stage race”, explained Andrea Marconi.

After the positive experience of last year, when DMT Racing took the first and second overall spots with Hans Becking and the 2016 UCI MTB Marathon World Champion, Tiago Ferreira, Andrea Marconi made a call ahead of the 2021 edition: “Appenninica is a growing event that showcases semi-unknown gems and locations to the whole World. I would like all Italian teams to take part in this kind of events, as this would be a boost for the Italian MTB movement as a whole.”

On September 12th, 2021, at the start of Porretta Terme, the DMT Racing Team title defense will be started by Ilias Periklis, 2012 UCI MTB Marathon World Champion in Ornanas (France), and German Vinzent Dorn, a duo that combines experience and willingness to emerge. “Periklis is an established and successful rider, who has the experience and knows how to handle himself over the course. Dorn is a young rider with a great desire to show himself and achieve important goals”, explained Marconi.

The 420 km and 16,000 metres of elevation gain will test Marconi’s team ambitions for an encore: for sure, the Emilia-Romagna Apennine is an uncompromising judge.

Saitta and Steinburg crowned champions of Appenninica 2026

History is made as an Italian wins the Elite men’s race at Appenninica for the first time. The final stage goes to Hans Becking, who climbs to second overall ahead of Marek Sülzle. Among the women, Lola Bakker takes the stage win but the overall title belongs to Steinburg.

Steinburg: queen of stage and standings

Among the women, Steinburg further cements her lead ahead of tomorrow’s finale

Chiarini: from heartbreak to the biggest win

After seeing victory slip through his fingers in Riolunato, Riccardo Chiarini got his revenge in the finest possible way on the 91km and 2900m ending in Castelnovo ne’ Monti. Behind overall leader Saitta, the podium battle is wide open.

Steinburg wins and pulls clear

Among the women, Greete Steinburg made her move. Having pulled on the leader’s jersey yesterday, the Estonian took her first stage win of this edition, increasing her margin over Lola Bakker. Mara Parisi remains in contention, sitting third in the overall standings.

Saitta storms in Riolunato

The script for Stage 3 of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race was already written: short, explosive and full of plot twists. That is exactly what unfolded across the 38 km and 1,500 metres of elevation of the Monte Cimone Challenge, a loop around Riolunato held...

Schulz strikes back, Steinburg takes pink

Schulz had slipped more than 21 minutes behind after the opening stage. The American showed resilience and determination to respond immediately, taking victory in Riolunato. The general classification may now be a long shot, but she has firmly re-established herself as one of the riders to watch over the remaining stages.

Win for Becking, Jersey for Spica

Becking had finished third in Vidiciatico, disappointed after failing to hold the wheel of Vincenzo Saitta and Emanuele Spica in the finale. On the 65-kilometre route featuring 2,600 metres of elevation gain, however, the Dutchman matched the pace of the Rolling Bike Team duo throughout the day and eventually took advantage of misfortune for the race leader to claim both the stage win and a valuable leap up the standings.

De Souza overcomes adversity

De Souza overcomes a crash to beat Lola Bakker and Greete Steinburg in the women’s race

Sicilian dominance in the Apennines

Saitta leads home teammate Spica and Becking

Appenninica MTB Stage Race gets underway tomorrow in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines

The 2026 edition of Italy’s premier MTB stage race starts tomorrow, Monday, June 22. Nearly two hundred competitors will contest five exacting stages across the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, culminating in a grand finale at Castelnovo ne’ Monti on Friday, June 26

Appenninica 2026: the partners behind the race

The Emilia-Romagna’s stage race confirms a comprehensive partner ecosystem, positioning the event as a flagship platform for regional excellence and outdoor tourism. The 2026 edition will take place from June 22 to 26

Brazil’s rising MTB star eyes Appenninica crown on debut

At 23, Luiza Euzebio De Souza makes her Appenninica debut with quiet confidence, returning from injury and leading a record Brazilian contingent