More than just mountain bike: Appenninica is an explosion of taste

The mountain bike stage race scheduled from September 8th to 12th is an opportunity to taste the best cooking products of Emilia-Romagna Apennines.

The bond between Appenninica MTB Stage Race and its territory is not only in the wonderful landscapes of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines but can also be enjoyed when you sit down for dinner, after the efforts of a stage. The cuisine and gastronomic excellence represent an added value for the mountain bike stage race, thanks to the many PDO and PGI products of one of the most prosperous areas in Italy.

The products of the great Emilia-Romagna cuisine will also be at Appenninica, thanks to the prestigious partnerships reached by the organising committee in collaboration with Emanuela Zannoni. One of the most important new entries of this edition is Barilla, which will supply the Appenninica family with its best products for the pasta parties at the end of the stages. The excellence and the quality of Made in Italy is exported by Barilla all over the worldwide, thanks to its unique heritage.

As usual, the opening of the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese wheel will be a ritual moment at Appenninica. The Latteria Sociale CarnarolaCaseificio del ParcoCasteificio Sociale Fior di Latte and Caseificio Sociale La Querciola will supply the mountain variety of the world-famouse cheese from the Apennines, whose production area extends along the entire race route, with high mountain pastures and a processing method synonymous with quality and authenticity.

Sportspeople know how rehydration is after hours of sporting activity, which is why the Sem Group, one of the leading operators in Italy in the bottling of water and soft drinks will be alongside Appenninica. Sem produces and distributes Monte Cimone natural mineral water, oligomineral water with a low mineral component. In the stages of Fanano, Cerreto Laghi and Castelnovo ne’ Monti, the athletes will quench their thirst with water flowing inside the Parco Naturale dell’Alto Appennino Modenese at over 935 metres above sea level. The Monte Cimone water is bottled with an eco-sustainable process to reduce the impact of plastic containers on the environment as much as possible.

Coop Alleanza 3.0 will supply with its Vivi Verde range those who prefer organic and natural products. The Medici Ermete winery will award the category winners with a mangum of Concerto-Lambrusco Reggiano DOC organic wine. It will be possible to taste both dry Assolo-Reggiano DOC and dry Quercioli Reggiano-Lambrusco DOC during the dinners, among the best wine products of the Apennine territory.

The traditional balsamic vinegar of Reggio Emilia PDO of the G&G Acetaia is another prized product of the area to taste in the final dinner, at the end of the last stage in Castelnovo ne’ Monti. GSI Casa Modena Salumi is also a partner to Appenninica, offering participants the unique flavours of its products, and the production experience handed down from generation to generation, combining tradition and innovation.

Healthy and safe food is synonymous with quality. Supporting events like Appenninica it’s important, because they combine sports activity and the promotion of health and healthy food in Emilia-Romagna, a land rich with great products with the PDO and PGI marks. Promoting the territory means not only enhancing the beauty of the landscape and the opportunities it offers, but also the quality of its cuisine”, explained the Italian MP Antonella Incerti, member of the Italian Parliament’s Agriculture Commission and representative of the Emilia-Romagna Region.

 

 

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