All athletes, whatever sport they practice, dreams of reaching the pinnacle of their discipline. Savouring success is the ultimate fulfilment for those who dedicate hours and hours of training, effort, and sacrifice to rise to the top of the world. After retirement, many athletes feel the urge to continue experiencing that adrenaline, possibly by taking on the challenge of a new discipline.
That’s what happened to Sophie Halhead, an athlete competing in the 2023 Appenninica MTB Stage Race. On August 17, 2014, the Englishwoman climbed to the highest point of her sport, becoming World Rugby Champion with her national team. After 71 caps representing her Country, she decided to retire from professional rugby. From there, a new adventure began, where the oval ball gave way to a mountain bike.
“I represented my Country 71 times, the last against Canada in the 2014 World Championship final. It was an indelible chapter of my life because I had the privilege of playing in two World Championship finals, experiencing the taste of defeat against New Zealand and the apotheosis of victory in 2014. After retiring from rugby, I chose mountain biking to share a sport with my husband. I started by joining him in training until I participated in a race: it’s a stimulus to stay fit and experience different adventures.”, recalls Sophie Halhead.
The 2023 edition of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race was not Sophie Halhead’s first time, as she had already participated in the event’s first edition in 2019. Five years later, the stage race organised by A.S.D Happy Trail MTB had changed much, but the 43-year-old Englishwoman couldn’t wait to return.
“I participated for the first time in 2019 and would have come in 2020 if it hadn’t been for the pandemic. It’s an event I wanted to come back to, and I’m delighted to have done so to meet new people and see old friends again. I love Italy because it has so many things to love: the landscape, the views, the ice cream, the pizza, and its people. At Appenninica, the organisers are fantastic, always smiling; it would be worth participating just for the chats with others. It’s an incredible race!” says Sophie.
Returning after five years allowed Sophie Halhead to see a grown reality and appreciate this evolution.
“In 2019 I think there were 40-45 athletes, but I immediately understood it was a special event. Since then, it has weathered the pandemic period and grown while maintaining a limit of 150 participants, keeping its charm and identity. The fact that we all dine together during the awards, the fantastic videos and photos of the course, it’s all special”, says Sophie.
Thanks to the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, Sophie Halhead has strengthened her bond with Italy and the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, to which she is also emotionally connected.
“My husband’s parents lived in Emilia-Romagna, so when I discovered the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, I immediately thought it would be a great opportunity to participate. I knew the area was beautiful and the trails were fantastic, and then seeing the teaser video got me even more excited, so we signed up. Emilia-Romagna is an incredible region, and I don’t think many people fully realise how beautiful it is to mountain bike here“, says Sophie Halhead.
