The Pietra di Bismantova confirmed the verdict of the first stage: Diego Arias and Naima Diesner seem to be the strongest of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2022. The two leaders of the classification try to escape in the general, also imposing themselves in the second stage with departure and arrival from Castelnovo ne 'Monti on Monday 5th September.
Source: press release
The second fraction confirmed the values in the field among men. On the 62 km and 2350 meters in altitude of "The Rock" it was Diego Arias who won in 3:21:25 with an advantage over the finish line in Castelnovo ne 'Monti of 4:20 over the duo of Francisco Filipe (DMT Racing Team ) and Felix Fritzsch (R2 MTN CREW), who appeared more perky than the inaugural stage.
Ready to go and it was the three of them, with the addition of Miguel Munoz Moreno (DMT Racing Team), who set the pace. As on Sunday, the Colombian from the Hubbers-Polimedical team began to build his advantage around the halfway point and when he passed Ventasso he already had more than a minute ahead. Behind him remained in pursuit only Fritzsch and Filipe who by mutual agreement tried to limit the damage, while Munoz Moreno lost ground after a fall.
Not even a slip on a slimy stretch has calmed the action of Arias, who has thus consolidated his leadership in the general. Now the driver of the Hubbers-Polimedical leads with an advantage of 8:21 over Francisco Filipe and 13:33 over the winner of the last edition Felix Fritzsch. However, the hardest part of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2022 is yet to come, and a lot can still happen.
“Today I started with the idea of defending myself rather than attacking but at a certain point I felt I had good legs and I insisted on my pace - analyzes Diego Arias at the finish line -. I tried not to risk too much and it went well. I am happy with the sensations and how I am managing the race. I slipped in a wet stretch on a wooden bridge but fortunately everything is ok. Today's route was splendid, with stupendous landscapes ”.
NAIMA DIESNER STILL LEAVES THE SIGN
The gap imposed by Naima Diesner (Buff-Megamo Team) among women is even more impressive. From the very first kilometers, no rival managed to keep up with the German who finished her test at the finish line in Castelnovo ne 'Monti in 4:44:18. Behind her, Camilla Marinelli (ASD Bike and Fun Team) tried to keep pace, but at the finish she paid another 26 minutes late.
After the excellent performance in the first fraction, Debora Lana increased the gap from the head of the race, forced to leave Elena Novikova on the podium of the day and in the general classification. The Ukrainian finished her race with a gap of 30:01 on the stage winner and is now third overall, almost an hour behind Naima Diesner. Camilla Marinelli is second at 45 minutes 54 seconds behind the German.
"It was a fairly fast stage that I raced in front, with many climbs especially in the first part - explains Naima Diesner - There were many wonderful landscapes and in the last few kilometers I really enjoyed them. I am happy to have won again but now it is important to recover well because tomorrow is the High Mountain Queen Stage and we know how tough it is".
