Aprilia Tuareg 660 Wins Africa Eco Race for the Second Time
The Aprilia Tuareg 660 ridden by Jacopo Cerutti once again took the top spot, with the competition going down to the final timed stage
It was a close finish for Jacopo Cerutti and his Aprilia Tuareg Racing team, as a fierce battle throughout the 2025 Africa Eco Race meant the racing went right down to the final timed stage.
Despite racing for more than 6,000km across Morocco, Mauritania, and Senegal, the racing went down to the wire with Cerutti crossing the line just 26 seconds ahead of his Yamaha Tenere-mounted friend and rival Alessandro Botturi.
Botturi and Cerutti started the final day just nine seconds apart, although a small navigation error on the final stage, and reportedly collecting a net during the final stage that he couldn’t dislodge, sealed the Yamaha rider’s second place. Rounding out the podium is Guillaume Borne, who started the final day in fourth place, although a fall for Guillem Martinez Boronat just ten kilometres from the finish promoted him to the final step of the podium.
Cerutti’s Aprilia teammate, Marco Menichini, ended the final stage in sixth place, while the newcomer in the team, Francesco Montanari, brought the Tuareg home in 41st place, just over 20 minutes back from the leader.
Speaking about his second win in the Cerutti said:
“An edition which ended in the best possible way, in spite of the difficulties we faced and overcame. I rode well, without making many mistakes. I did not crash and I managed to stay consistently focused. We had an outstanding advantage in the sand, both because of my riding style and the performance of the Tuareg Rally, and I was able to exploit it fully. It was an edition where strategy was fundamental and, in the last two days, I accomplished an undertaking that even I did not think possible.
“When I saw that I could pull away on the dunes, I started to believe and I gave it 100%. I am truly happy for my teammates as well, Cecco and Marco, who did a brilliant job. A huge thank you to all the members of the team, who proved to be super dedicated to the cause and were essential to this victory, giving me a highly competitive Tuareg Rally. Congratulations also to Alessandro Botturi, it was great to have an opponent like him and to fight to the end.”
A very worthy mention from this year’s results must go to the top-placed Briton in the standings, with Stephanie Rowe taking that plaudit, who brought her KTM 450 EXCF home in 41st place. Stephanie used crowdfunding to help make her Africa Eco Race 2025 happen, and you can still donate to her via her crowdfunding page.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
