For the second year in a row, Lizzano in Belvedere will proclaim the new winners of Appenninica MTB Stage Race. The hamlet of Vidiciatico, within the Lizzano municipality, nestled in the Province of Bologna Apennines, will host the last two finishes of the 2023 edition (September 4-9).
The stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines will reach Lizzano in Belvedere on Friday, September 8th, with the finish of the Appenninica Distilled stage, starting from Fanano. The following day, Saturday, September 9, stage 6 will take place on a circuit with start and finish in Vidiciatico, a stage venue that had collected great appreciation from the riders already last year.
The penultimate effort of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023 journey, Appenninica Distilled measures 61 km with 2,500 meters of elevation gain and is a perfect concentration of spectacular ridges, technical trails, breathtaking views and historic villages. After starting in Fanano, a long ascent will take athletes over the Colombino Pass and then to the hamlet of Ospitale through a downhill single track. A new climb will bring the challenge back to altitude towards the Croce Arcana Pass, riding near Lake Scaffaiolo first and then Lake Patrignano. The finale is uphill again, after crossing the Dardagna stream.
For the last act, the organizers reproposed the “Monte Pizzo,” a 36-kilometre stage with a total elevation gain of 1,500 meters that was already the final difficulty last year. Starting and finishing in Vidiciatico, the stage will take place entirely in the Monte Pizzo bike park, with a loop to be covered one and a half times. Athletes will tackle the climbs on forest roads and then enjoy the descents on the “Ca Lenzi” and “Albarè” trails.
“Being the finishing town of Appenninica MTB Stage Race again fills us with pride,” said Sergio Polomari, Mayor of Lizzano in Belvedere. “This event has already won the affection of this town and its citizens, and we feel grateful to all those to put in a remarkable effort to make this outstanding race possible.”
LIZZANO IN BELVEDERE, THE HOME OF ENZO BIAGI
Lizzano in Belvedere is a town in the Province of Bologna at the foot of Corno alle Scale, included in the homonymous Natural Park. From the summit of Corno alle Scale, at an altitude of 1945 meters above sea level, it is possible to enjoy a majestic view that embraces the Alps to the north and the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian seas to the east and west. A place of peace and meditation is the Sanctuary of the Madonna dell’Acero, with its monumental trees and the silence of nature.
Born in Lizzano in Belvedere was the well-known journalist Enzo Biagi, the face of Rai 1 from 1995 to 2002 with his “Il Fatto.” But also linked to the town is the ski champion Alberto Tomba, who used to train in the Corno alle Scale ski area, where he built his greatest successes, creating alchemy with this magical territory.