Aprilia return to the desert with extended rally team in search of repeat Africa Eco Race success

Aprilia have once again returned to the Africa Eco Race with a tricked-up version of their Tuareg 660. 

• Related: Aprilia return to Eco Race as part of plans to up their involvement in desert rallies

Now sporting an expanded three-rider lineup, the team are hoping to continue their form carried over from last year’s debut victory in the 3668-mile rally raid as they race across Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal, before finishing at Lac Rose near Dakar – if all goes to plan.  

Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing CEO, said: “Defending the crown won’t be easy, but we trust in our team and the Tuareg’s proven capabilities.”

Jacopo Cerutti was the man of the moment in 2024, nabbing the top spot for the Italian manufacturer. “The dream is to win again,” he said. “Anything can happen, but I’ve prepared well and feel confident we can achieve a strong result.” 

Joining Cerutti is Francesco Montanari, who looks to build on his solid 2024 performance, and Junior class newcomer, 23-year-old Marco Menichini, who will make his debut. 

The seventh day of racing saw the team arrive in Amodjar, Mauritania. Cerutti currently sits in second, with Yamaha Ténéré 700 rider, Alessandro Botturi four minutes and 39 seconds ahead on the top spot. Cerutti’s teammates Montanari and Menichini currently sit in third and ninth place respectively.

As with 2024, the Tuaregs called upon are created in conjunction with specialists GCorse, the company set up by former Ducati MotoGP test rider Vittoriano Guareschi and his brother Gianfranco. 

Where these bikes were heavily altered from their road-going counterparts last year, customers can now get much closer to Aprilia’s racing package with the Tuareg 660 Rally – complete with a titanium SC Project exhaust, narrower wheels, and protection, but without the posh Öhlins and secondary fuel tank.