The organizers of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race really don't like standing still with folded hands. Archived a 2022 edition with an excellent international response, the stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines has already set the dates to be circled in red for champions and enthusiasts: the fifth edition of the most important Italian MTB stage race will take place from 4 to 9 September 2023.
Source: press release
The first big news of the 2023 edition can be seen precisely in the dates. While maintaining the now usual position in the first half of the month of September, the organizers of the ASD Happy Trail MTB have in fact decided to opt for a new format over six days of race, instead of the previous seven. A choice designed both to favor the athletes on a logistical level and to make the competition easier to carry out. The format changes but the charm of a race recognized as one of the most challenging at an international level remains intact, both among athletes and insiders.
"The 2022 edition consolidated our growth path – say Milena Bettocchi and Beppe Salerno, co-organizers of the stage race -. For this reason we wanted to introduce a novelty that does not change the nature of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, but allows us to improve some logistical aspects, also meeting the needs of the athletes and allowing them to improve their experience with this competition. In 2023 there will be six stages instead of seven, but the show on the Emilia-Romagna Apennines will remain intact, as will the difficulty and epic nature of the challenge proposed by Appenninica. With six fractions we believe there could be even more show".
With the announcement of the 2023 dates, the countdown towards the opening of registrations also begins. The “Early Bird” phase will officially open on Thursday 1st December, concluding on 31st December. Only fifty seats at a discounted price will be available exclusively in this period of time: Appenninica is a full service race, therefore the registration fee includes not only the race number, but also accommodation, meals, transfers between stages and other services. The registration fee will then increase in the following phases starting from 1st January.
As for the last four editions, the organizers have confirmed the individual formula and the number limited to a maximum of 150 members: a choice aimed at avoiding overcrowding on the trails and ensuring all participants a high quality standard of support during the race.
