Team or Solo?

MTB stage races used to suit few athletes, their settings were wild and usually remote, and the organizers often relied on the adventurousness of the participants and on their own luck. Over the time, mountain bike competitions on long distances and over many days have been evolving, with few exceptions of some hard-core races.

The long established races can be counted on the fingers of one hand: Transalp, TransRockies, Iron Bike and the most recent one but also undisputed queen Cape Epic. Over the last 10 years a bunch of new races have born, some of them shorter and faster. Besides distance and number of stages, no-one has yet figured out one of the organizers’ most challenging dilemma: two people team or SOLO.

Team DMT Marconi Ferreira Becking

Tiago Ferreira and Hans Backing of DMT Marconi (second and first in 2020)

The team formula adopted in the first races was based on safety reasons. In case of any issue or accident one of the team mates would be able to take care of first aid or call the rescue team. Again, and I witnessed it, some races take place in remote and wild environment, incredibly stunning but difficult to access in case of accident. Thus the team would give the best guarantee of safety. Not to mention the wonderful chance to share a magnificent experience with the right mate. At the opposite pole, a non close-knit team turns the race into a nightmare one can’t wait to cut short.

From a rider:

I love that Appenninica is raced as individuals rather than teams of two+. This way I am responsible for my fitness and ability rather than waiting for, or holding-back another rider.

GPS technology gave us trackers that allow the organizers and the supporters to follow an athlete on the tracks but most importantly to call for help and rescue just pushing the SOS button.

The calendar is actually offering races with team formula and SOLO formula. Which one is better?

We like the team formula a lot but it comes with some problems for the participants who need to find the soul team mate with the same athletic ability, same availability of time for training and for the race week, same budget. It’s a stressful and complicated jig-saw. Long term and tight-knit teams are lucky.

The SOLO formula is smoother. You decide, enroll, only your ability counts and you decide your own tactic. As Gordon Wadworth puts it “The solo effort is tremendously pure”.

The GPS tracker, when provided by the organizers – Appenninica is among them – grants your safety. Last but not least, nothing forbids two friends to stay close and ride together.

What about the Elite Team?

The Elite teams base their decisions not on the format but on UCI points, prize-pool, etc. They aim to win and get on the podium and thus I think they will organize themselves with captains and wingmen ready to help in case they have problems.

Appenninica MTB locks in 2026 dates: five days of racing from June 22nd to 26th

Fresh off the 2025 edition, Appenninica MTB Stage Race is already looking ahead. The next chapter of the Italian stage race will take place from June 22nd to 26th, 2026, keeping its five-stage format. Early Bird entries go live on July 2nd

Arias and Bakker crowned champions of Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2025

Colombian Diego Arias secures his second overall title after 2022, while Dutch rider Lola Bakker prevails in the women’s race after a week-long battle with Syd Schulz. Spica wins final stage and climbs to third overall.

Bakker delivers standout Queen Stage performance

Another dramatic turnaround in the women’s race as Lola Bakker claims her third stage win, building a commanding advantage

Arias moves closer to Appenninica 2025 victory

Diego Arias wins High Mountain Queen Stage, extending his lead in Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2025. Saitta remains second, with Massimo Rosa taking third on the day.

Bakker rebounds, Schulz stays calm

Lola Bakker responds after Tuesday’s setback, while Syd Schulz manages to limit the damage

Candeago bounce back in Riolunato

Third different winner in as many stages at Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2025: Andrea Candeago claims victory in Riolunato, outsprinting Vincenzo Saitta and teammate Diego Arias to secure the win that eluded him in Vidiciatico.

Schulz seizes the Pink Jersey

In the women’s race, Syd Schulz snatches the leader’s jersey from Lola Bakker

Saitta triumphs in Vidiciatico as Arias holds firm

After a strong debut, Sicilian rider Vincenzo Saitta wins Stage 2 of Appenninica, outsprinting Diego Arias and Andrea Candeago in Vidiciatico

Arias strikes first at Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2025

Diego Arias drops Saitta, and finishes ahead of Becking and the Italian

Bakker powers clear, Schulz hangs tough

Lola Bakker edges Schulz in a heated women’s contest

Appenninica 2025 kicks off: five days of pure MTB

Tomorrow, Monday June 23rd, the 2025 edition of Appenninica MTB Stage Race kicks off from Lizzano in Belvedere. Through Friday June 27th, 117 riders will battle across 315 kilometers and nearly 12,000 meters of elevation gain. Hans Becking and Diego Arias are the men to watch, while the women’s field is wide open with no clear favorite.

Twenty-Two Nations line up for Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2025

From June 23-27, the Emilia-Romagna Apennines will collect the attention of international MTB lovers with 118 participants from 22 different Countries. The Netherlands and Italy lead the field, while South America is getting more represented year after year