Aprilia Tuareg 660 Rally Bike to be Used in Africa Eco Race Title Defence
Aprilia’s racing sector is set for a big challenge as it aims to defend its Africa Eco Race title, which commences on 28 December
Aprilia were debutants in the event last season with its Tuareg Rally 660 and it will be that machine that is used by Jacopo Cerutti, Francesco Montanari and Marco Menichini as it looks to defend the crown.
The race will take place from 28 December and conclude on 12 January, with Cerutti the only rider of the three that was part of the victorious team last season.
The Rally version of the Tuareg is new for 2025 and features new distinctive race graphics, going alongside the standard 660 which receives the usual Aprilia Racing colourway and several other variants including a ‘Dakar Podium’ colour scheme, Martian Red, Acid Gold, Indaco Tagelmust and Canyon Sand.
Montanari is no stranger to the Africa Eco Rally as he joins the fold for the 2025 edition, while Menichini is a new entrant to the race and will feature as part of the ‘Junior class’ which is designed for riders under 25 years of age.
Ahead of the event, Cerutti said: “The dream is to win again, in spite of the fact that there are almost 4,000 km of timed sections extremely demanding along the way where anything can happen. In the Africa Eco Race, navigation is always a huge challenge and each day can hold surprises all the way to the last mile.
“I have trained as well as I can and everything has gone according to plan, so I feel like I’m ready. I’m confident that we will be able to win some of the stages and achieve a good overall position. All that’s left now is to start and to give it our all!”
Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola also spoke about the upcoming event as the Noale-based brand is keen to make another statement.
Rivola said: “After last year’s outstanding performance, it’s hard not to be optimistic about this edition, although being defending champs comes with great responsibility. It won’t be easy to repeat the performance, partly because our rivals are even more prepared. Jacopo is in grand form and he is determined to demonstrate his full potential.
“We are also counting on Montanari’s experience, who showed us his value last year, and on Marco Menichini’s skills in the Junior class. We are confident in the Guareschi Team’s great performance.”
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