The Spanish racer from the DMT Racing Team sprints to his second stage win at the finish in Lizzano in Belvedere in the 2022 Appenninica MTB Stage Race. Arias and Filipe complete the podium of the “Il Corno” stage. Sixth victory in six stages for Naima Diesner in the women’s race.
Miguel Munoz Moreno performed an encore in Lizzano in Belvedere. After his win in Fanano, the Spanish racer of the DMT Racing Team took his second stage victory of the 2022 edition of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race on Friday, September 9. For the women, Naima Diesner took her sixth victory of this edition in the Il Corno stage, featuring 59 kilometers and 2600 meters of elevation gain, which started from Porretta Terme.
It was a sprint victory for Munoz Moreno, who outsprinted Diego Arias and teammate, Francisco Filipe, to finish in 3:14:56. Riding together, the trio set the pace from the race’s first kilometers. The Spaniard took the lead on the descent from Lago Scaffaiolo to the finish, which was a winning decision because it allowed him to get out in front of his chasers in the narrow streets of Lizzano in Belvedere.
The general classification remains unchanged with Diego Arias holding his position as leader. The Colombian’s advantage over Filipe, who’s second in the general classification, is 27:15, while today’s winner is firmly in third place in the GC with a time gap of 1:04:09.
“It was a hard stage with a lot of tough climbs,” Munoz Moreno said after winning the stage. “I wanted the victory, and I pushed right from the start. We were three and I set my own pace. With three kilometers to go I attacked for the first time, but it was in the second attack that I managed to take the lead and win the sprint. Too bad about the crash on the second day because I think I could have gone for the overall victory.”
“It was a beautiful stage that we rode at a high pace. Munoz Moreno was clever to pass me in the last few corners, congratulations to him,” commented general classification leader, Diego Arias.
DIESNER IS ON A WINNING STREAK, BEHIND HER IT’S A FIGHT FOR SECOND
A new stage, a new victory for Naima Diesner. The German racer of the BUFF-Megamo team achieved her sixth victory out of six stages at the Appenninica by crossing the finish line in Lizzano in Belvedere with a time of 4:19:07. Behind her was Debora Lana at 11:03 back, while third was once again Elena Novikova, 14:12 behind the German rider.
Diesner’s goal now is to complete the 2022 Appenninica by winning all the stages, as Esther Süss did in 2020. She seems to have the general classification all locked up, while behind her there’s a fight for second place between Debora Lana and Camilla Marinelli. Thanks to today’s result, Lana is now second with a lead of only 8:50 over Marinelli. The last stage will decide who of the two will take second in the GC.
“It was another good stage that I remembered from last year. I set my own pace for the race, and even today, I finished with a smile,” remarked Naima Diesner at the finish.
GRAND FINALE IN LIZZANO IN BELVEDERE
The final stage of the 2022 Appenninica MTB Stage Race is a 37-kilometer circuit with 1550 meters of climbing, with start and finish in Vidiciatico, in the municipality of Lizzano in Belvedere. The Monte Pizzo isn’t only the final stage, it’s a stage full of pitfalls to manage before one can win the finisher’s medal. The athletes will tackle the Cuplina trail twice and the Albaré singletrack descent once. The final celebration will take place at the Piscina Conca del Sole in Vidiciatico.
