The organizers had promised: "reducing the format of a stage will not make the race easier". Judging from a first look at the 2023 Appenninica MTB Stage Race course, the promise has largely been kept.
To conquer the finisher medal of the 2023 edition, scheduled from 4 to 9 September 2023, the participants will have to tame 400 km and 14 meters in altitude overall, distributed over six fractions. The Apennines of Emilia-Romagna will be the judges of the epic challenge between enchanted landscapes, Apennine ridges and splendid Italian villages.
Like last year, the stage race will start from Castelnovo ne' Monti, in the shadow of the Pietra di Bismantova. Also confirmed among the venues for the stage are Fanano, now a historic passage of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race and Vidiciatico, the hamlet of Lizzano in Belvedere which will host the grand finale as in 2022. The novelty is instead represented by Fiumalbo, a historic village in the Modena Apennines located on the border with Tuscany.
“The new format has allowed us to spread the difficulties better than in the past – explain Milena Bettocchi and Beppe Salerno, co-organizers of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race -. The Queen Stage, already scheduled for the second day, is slightly shorter and less difficult than usual but the following two days won't allow you to catch your breath. The result is a central part of the moderately demanding race, with 400 km and 14 meters of altitude difference to tackle".
SIX STAGES TO FACE AT ALL
Departure set for Monday 4 September from Castelnovo ne' Monti with 56 km and 1800 meters of difference in altitude at the foot of the Pietra di Bismantova, through the lands of Matilda di Canossa. Compared to 2022, the La Matildica route has undergone further improvements, with the alternation of not long but demanding climbs and descents.
Not even the time to get into the racing atmosphere and Tuesday 5 September is already the turn of the Mountain Queen Stage. Compared to the past, the queen stage is shorter (89 km) but no less demanding with its 3200 meters of difference in altitude to be done in one breath before reaching the finish line in Fiumalbo.
There is no time to rest, because on Wednesday 6th September a loop around Fiumalbo will once again put the competitors to the test. The Tuscany "Incipit" is the main novelty of the 2023 edition with an encroachment on Tuscany within the Abetone ski area, 79 km long and 2700 meters in altitude.
On the other hand, Monte Cimone is the great protagonist of the fourth stage of Thursday 7 September with departure from Fiumalbo and arrival in Fanano. Three climbs of the day of the Cimone Challenge along the 57 km and 2300 meters in altitude destined to test the athletes' legs again.
For those who love the Appenninica MTB Stage Race approach to the world of mountain biking, the stage scheduled for Friday 8 September from Fanano to Vidiciatico will be the perfect manifesto. Appenninica Distilled with its 54 km and 2500 meters of difference in altitude is a concentrate of everything that the Italian stage race can offer: long and pedalable climbs, very technical descents and wonderful panoramas.
The grand finale is booked for Saturday 9 September in Monte Pizzo with departure and arrival from Vidiciatico, a hamlet in the municipality of Lizzano in Belvedere. Like last year, the technicians 37 km and 1750 vertical meters of the last stage will decree the final verdict.
HOW TO REGISTER
After the great success of the Early Bird registration phase, which sold out in just 15 days, it is now possible to register in the "Regular Registration" phase until 31 May 2023. 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.
THE PATH
Stage 1 - La Matildica - 56 km and 1800 meters in altitude
Monday 4th September: Castelnovo ne 'Monti - Castelnovo ne' Monti
Stage 2 – Mountain Queen – 89km and 3200m of elevation gain
Tuesday 5 September: Castelnovo ne' Monti – Fiumalbo
Stage 3 – Tuscany “Incipit” – 79km and 2700m of elevation gain
Wednesday 6th September: Fiumalbo – Fiumalbo
Stage 4 – Cimone Challenge – 57km and 2300m of elevation gain
Thursday 7 September: Fiumalbo – Fanano
Stage 5 – Appenninica Distilled – 54km and 2500m of elevation gain
Friday 8 September: Fanano – Vidiciatico
Stage 6 - Monte Pizzo - 37 km and 1750 meters in altitude
Saturday 9 September: Vidiciatico – Vidiciatico
