Gran Fondo MTB 9 Fossi of Cingoli

The 9 Fossi, a classic of Marche mountain biking

The Gran Fondo MTB 9 Fossi of Cingoli is one of the longest-running and most followed mountain bike granfondos in Central Italy. Founded in 1998 and organized by the G.S. Avis Bike Club Cingoli, the race takes its name from the nine ravines that cut through the territory around the town and which create a course made of continuous ups and downs, changes of pace, and technical sections. The start and finish are in Cingoli, nicknamed the "Balcony of the Marche" for the view from its 631 meters that stretches over a good part of the region to the Adriatic Sea.

Where and when

The event takes place in Cingoli, in the province of Macerata, in the Marche region, traditionally on the last Sunday of April. The headquarters is in the historic town center, from which the various starting grids depart; the routes develop on the Dorsale di Cingoli and around the Lake of Cingoli (Lago di Castreccioni), amidst dirt roads, trails, and short stretches of low-traffic asphalt.

The routes

The 9 Fossi offers several routes to satisfy competitive riders and cyclotourists:

• Classic Long — approximately 48 km with 1,700 m of elevation gain, the most challenging competitive route, along the Dorsale;
• Classic Short — approximately 29 km with 1,100 m of elevation gain, competitive;
• Short cyclotourism — approximately 22 km, open to MTB and e-bikes;
• Hard E-Bike — approximately 31 km reserved for pedal-assist bicycles;
• Gravel — the novelty for 2026, with two distances (46 and 62 km) on gravel roads and trails around Lake Cingoli;
• 9 Fossi Kids — the race dedicated to children.

A community event

Beyond the race, the 9 Fossi is a celebration for the entire town: the Avis Bike Club Cingoli organizes the welcome for athletes, the race pack, refreshments, and awards, in an atmosphere that combines sport, volunteering, and promotion of the territory. The event is part of the interregional circuit Tour 3 Regioni, which attracts hundreds of bikers every year from Marche, Umbria, Abruzzo, and beyond.