Appenninica 2021 restarts with two novelties. Grand finale on the Pietra di Bismantova.
Source: press release
The seven stages of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race (12-18 September 2021) have been unveiled. Departure from Porretta Terme and grand finale (with homage to Dante) after 450 kilometers and 16 meters in altitude in Castelnovo ne 'Monti. The passage to Fanano has been confirmed. There are two novelties: Lizzano in Belvedere and Cerreto Laghi.
If these days the scenarios of the Emilian Apennines appear whitened and covered with snow, we will only have to wait a few months to see the same landscapes animated by bikers from every corner of the world. Having successfully filed the 2020 edition of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race, the organizers look forward to the 2021 edition scheduled for the end of summer, from 12 to 18 September 2021 with confidence and enthusiasm.
The wild and uncontaminated nature crossed by the Alta via dei Parchi will be the setting for an extreme challenge with 450 kilometers in length and over 16000 meters in altitude to be tackled along seven stages. The Apennine ridge with its unique landscape will guarantee participants a true full immersion in the Italian atmosphere and culture with the excellent hospitality of Emilia-Romagna.
Compared to the 2020 edition, the stages will be five, located in three different provinces of Emilia: Bologna, Modena and Reggio Emilia. To the confirmed Porretta Terme (BO), Fanano (MO) and Castelnovo ne 'Monti (RE), are added the new entries of Lizzano in Belvedere (BO) and Cerreto Laghi (RE). Along the lines of past editions, the 2021 Appenninica MTB Stage Race route will alternate technical sections with highly scenic and more flowing ones, touching three traditional ski areas that are opening up with ever greater conviction to outdoor tourism linked to mountain biking: Corno alle Scale, Monte Cimone and Cerreto Laghi.
Apennine MTB Stage Race
Porretta Terme confirms itself as the venue for the great start on Sunday 12 September, hosting the first time trial stage that will pay tribute to the Porretta Soul Festival. The second fraction, always starting from Porretta, will give the first taste of the real Apennines with the passages to Lake Scaffaiolo and Corno alle Scale. After an encroachment in Tuscany, the arrival is expected in Lizzano in Belvedere, the city that just over a century ago was the birthplace of the journalist Enzo Biagi.
On Tuesday 14 September, Lizzano will also be the starting point for a completely new third stage, with arrival in Fanano. The route will wind in the first part along the Gothic Line, the scene of partisan liberation battles during the Second World War, while the last stretch winds through the Cimone Bike Park, on fast and fun trails.
After the success of the last edition, the fourth stage is the reconfirmed "Pippo Yeah!" signed by Pippo Marani, scheduled for Wednesday 15 September with departure and arrival in Fanano. Also from the town of the Modena Apennines, the Queen Stage will also start on Thursday 16 September. The first section will follow the route of the “stage” of 2020, climbing up to the highest point of the race located on Monte Cimone at an altitude of 1855 meters, to continue up to Cerreto Laghi in a fraction to be covered entirely at high altitude.
From Cerreto Laghi the bikers will move towards Castelnovo ne 'Monti on Friday 17 September, with a varied and fun fraction, completely designed within the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park, awarded the MaB Unesco recognition for its extraordinary biodiversity. The final referee of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race challenge will be the iconic Pietra di Bismantova, now a symbol of the Appenninica. According to the legend, the Stone was the inspiration for Dante's purgatory: 700 years after his death, the organizers will pay homage to the Supreme Poet with the "Purgatory" stage, drawn on a circular route between the Poiano Sources, Gessi Triassici and the territories linked to the emblematic figure of the Grand Countess Matilde di Canossa.
“For the 2021 edition we have decided to continue in the path traced last year - explain the organizers Beppe Salerno and Milena Bettocchi -, looking for an even better balance between shorter and more technical stages and longer and faster ones. We have preserved the suggestive crossings on the Apennine ridge, touching on the other hand three traditional ski areas that are proving to want to focus on mountain biking: an even more significant aspect in this historical moment. We are very happy to welcome in our family the new stages of Lizzano in Belvedere and Cerreto Laghi, destined to offer new beauties and scenarios to this great adventure. "
THE PATH
Stage 1 - Porretta Soul
Sunday 12 September: Porretta Terme - Porretta Terme
Stage 2 - The Horn
Monday 13 September: Porretta Terme - Lizzano in Belvedere
Stage 3 - Gold Rush
Tuesday 14 September: Lizzano in Belvedere - Fanano
Stage 4 - Goofy Yeah
Wednesday 15 September: Fanano - Fanano
Stage 5 - High Mountain Queen
Thursday 16 September: Fanano - Cerreto Laghi
Stage 6 - Park & Roll
Friday 17 September: Cerreto Laghi - Castelnovo ne 'Monti
Stage 7 - The Purgatory
Saturday 18 September: Castelnovo ne 'Monti - Castelnovo ne' Monti
HOW TO REGISTER
Registrations for the 2021 edition are open on the official website of the event: www.appenninica-mtb.com.
Until January 31st it will be possible to register for Appenninica 2021 in the “Early Bird” phase, at a reduced rate, reserved for a maximum of 55 athletes. As in 2020, the organizing committee has decided to provide only individual participation and not the formula in pairs, to offer a more modern and more attractive format at an international level. Starting from this season, the organization also offers the possibility to pay the registration fee in installments. For further information: www.appenninica-mtb.com/iscrizioni.
To avoid the overcrowding of trails that cross regional and national parks, and to guarantee athletes the highest level of quality in running and off-running, the organizers have also chosen to confirm the limited number to 150 registered athletes.
VIDEO: 2021 APPENNINICA MTB STAGE RACE - TRAILER
