It was an edition all about the colours of Italy and Aprilia, that of the Africa Eco Race which ended in Dakar and saw the victory of Jacopo Cerutti on his Aprilia Tuareg. Positive result also for the other Aprilia rider, Francesco Montanari, making his absolute debut in a raid rally and entering the top ten of the final classification. The Italian pair started as rookies for the off-road race adventure, facing opponents already experienced in the legendary route from Europe to Dakar through Morocco and Mauritania. The Aprilia Tuareg, developed from the production model by Aprilia Racing with the technical collaboration of GCorse of the Guareschi brothers, faced the African tracks and the desert for the first time. During 2023 the bike had proven its capabilities by winning, always on debut, the Italian title in the Motorally and achieving a podium in the Transanatolia rally in Turkey, at the first taste of a great raid.
The Aprilia riders approached the race with confidence from the start and the victory in the special tests of the first two days allowed Cerutti to accumulate and then manage the advantage against opponents like Botturi and Tarres, both on Yamaha, who constantly attacked, in search of the comeback. For Francesco Montanari, absolute beginner, the Dakar finish line was the most beautiful result. To this he added two stage podiums, a constant presence in the high areas of the special rankings and an eighth final place. "What Jacopo did, winning in Dakar - commented Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing - is unprecedented.
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It's a real, huge sporting achievement that exalts a great champion, an exceptional Italian motorcycle, designed, developed and produced in Noale and an incredible job done by Aprilia Racing and the Guareschis, to whom goes my special thanks. Having led from the first day one of the most difficult races there are in the world, in front of very strong opponents is an extraordinary sign of strength that has gone beyond all our expectations".
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