In general, Becking maintains a reassuring advantage in view of the last test. Among the women, Kristina Ilina is repeated, with Piana controlling from a distance.
Source: press release
Champions are like this, you know: even if the situation now seems compromised, they always want to leave their mark. This was the case for Tiago Ferreira in the penultimate stage of the Appenninica MTB Stage Race 2023 on Friday 8 September 2023, starting from Fanano and arriving in Lizzano in Belvedere in the hamlet of Vidiciatico.
After seeing his chances for the final victory reduced in the fourth stage, the Portuguese of the DMT Racing Team tried to reopen the game during the 61 km and 2500 meters of overall altitude difference of the Appenninica Distilled. A fast stage, with all the features that have made the Appenninica MTB Stage Race a stage race of international interest.
Tiago Ferreira and Hans Becking set the pace right from the first kilometres, staying ahead alone as happened in almost all the stages of this edition of the stage race in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines. Right from the first climb towards Passo del Colombino, the Portuguese tried to set a high pace, but the Dutchman of the Buff-Megamo remained glued to his wheel, not allowing him to reopen the fight for the general.
Mile after kilometre, Tiago Ferreira's hopes of reopening the game in the general classification began to fade, but the Portuguese still gained the satisfaction of his second stage success in this edition, concluding his race in 3:26:09. His rival for the general has paid a gap of only 11 ", which allows him to maintain a lead of 9:27 in the standings.
Excellent third place of the day for Federico Mandelli who crossed the finish line 5:15 after the winner. Instead, they completed the top five in Vidiciatico Tim Smeenge (fourth at 7:36) and Bart Classens (fifth at 12:54). Situation crystallized in the general classification where Smeenge is permanently in third position with a delay of 33:08 on the leader.
“It was a difficult stage right from the start – commented Tiago Ferreira -. I tried to attack straight away but Hans stayed with me and we continued together. Tomorrow there won't be room to reopen the standings, I'm going to have fun. The race is beautiful, with wonderful routes and enchanting landscapes: I think all bikers should tackle the Appenninica MTB Stage Race at least once in their career”.
KRISTINA ILINA'S PRIDE
After the success in the first half, Kristina Ilina returned to win. The Russian of the DMT Racing Team thus completed a splendid one-two for Andrea Marconi's team, winning the Vidiciatico finish line in 4:07:40.
After a start to the stage which saw Debora Piana in the lead, the Russian found the right rhythm as the kilometers passed, while the overall leader, given the large lead gap, faced the remainder of the stage without taking any risks. Despite this, a fall at the end, albeit without significant physical consequences, forced Debora Piana to concede 12:24 to the winner of the day.
In view of the last stage the Italian of Team Cingolani-Specialized still maintains a lead of 30:13 in the general. The Swiss Nina Brenn was stable in third position.
“Day after day I feel better and better, so today I tried to win the stage and it went well – explains Kristina Ilina -. It was my first experience in a mountain bike stage race and the result is positive, I am satisfied with my week at the Appenninica MTB Stage Race. I'm having fun and I'll do it again tomorrow."
STANDINGS
