The Appenninici – Lillo Lenzi, in love with the Apennines

Who said that at 70, you’re too old to take part in a six-day stage race with over 14,000 meters of elevation gain? Lillo Lenzi is the demonstration that limits are just relative, even in a technically and physically challenging sport like mountain biking.

At 70, Lillo was the oldest rider at the start of Appenninica 2024. Since it was the last opportunity for him, as 70 is the age limit for participation to the event, Lillo Lenzi made the most of it, thoroughly enjoying the experience on the trails of the Emilia-Romagna’s Apennines that he knows like the back of his hand.

“For my 70th birthday, I gifted myself Appenninica, thinking ‘now or never’,” Lillo Lenzi says. “It’s an experience that is impossible to explain, because they offer exceptional service, taking care of every aspect and leaving you only the pleasure of riding and enjoying the landscape.”

Lillo knows the Emilia-Romagna Apennines’ landscapes very well. He hails from Gaggio Montano, in the province of Bologna, and has ridden up and down the ridges many times. Yet, despite knowing the trails and routes, he keeps being impressed by all their beauty.

“I’ve always enjoyed biking, discovering new paths, even randomly,” Lillo told. “In 70 years of life, I’ve ridden a lot in these mountains, but every day you discover that something has changed. When we were on the ridge, sometimes it was cloudy, and then suddenly the sky cleared up and the mountains started shining with colors. You’re there in that moment, and you see one thing; you go the next day and see another: the Emilia-Romagna’s Apennines are amazing.”

Lillo enjoyed such wonder with the 150 participants of the 2023 Appenninica MTB Stage Race, most of whom coming from outside of Italy.

“I challenge any of the 150 participants of the Appenninica to say they haven’t seen anything throughout the day that has left them speechless. All this happens in a race, not during a ride among friends, but it’s impossible not to stop and look at the beauty around you,” explains Lillo.

Among the adventures of his 70 years of life, Lenzi features winning a MTB stage race in Libya, a success that made him famous throughout the Bolognese Apennines and beyond. Though he has travelled the World, for Lillo Lenzi nothing can beat his home trails.

“Compared to the Alps, which are also great and beautiful, the Apennines are more familiar and cozier. Riding in the Apennines is different than doing it anywhere else.”

After riding here for 70 years, we’d better believe him.

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

Young and bold: Italian prospects ready to make their mark at Appenninica 2025

After Luca Cacchi’s surprising third-place finish in 2024, the 2025 edition of the Emilia-Romagna Apennine stage race will once again showcase Italian talent hunting for the spotlight against international stars from June 23-27