The Aprilia Tuareg Racing season kicks off in Riotorto

AN EXCEPTIONAL LINEUP AT THE FIRST STAGE OF THE ITALIAN MOTORALLY: JACOPO CERUTTI, FRANCESCO MONTANARI AND CLAUDIO SPANU

Aprilia Tuareg Racing tackles its second season in the off-road championships, following last year's success in the Italian Motorally, with a place on the podium at the Transanatolia Rally and the historic victory in the Africa Eco Race. The Aprilia Tuareg bikes, developed in close collaboration with the Guareschi brothers’ GCorse, will seek to battle their way to the top once again, starting this weekend, in the first stage of the Italian Motorally Championship in Riotorto. 

A total of six riders will be present during the challenge in Tuscany: Jacopo Cerutti, 2023 Africa Eco Race Champion, Francesco Montanari and a new entry, Claudio Spanu. The Sardinian rider has plenty of experience in enduro racing, having taken home four Italian titles (one in 2017, two in 2018 and another in 2020), as well as coming in the top three a number of times in both European and world-level competitions. He has ridden in the ISDE (International Six Days Enduro) three times as part of the Italian national team, finishing first in the Club category in 2018, as well as being crowned Junior World Champion in 2022.  

Paolo Pettinari will also be riding in the Motorally GPX class, attempting to replicate last year’s performance: he finished third overall, as well as winning two stages. Moving on to the Under 18 class, we are set to see two promising young talents of Italian off-road racing looking to defend the Aprilia colours: 16-year-old Federico Salucci, who will be racing in the championship for the second year, and 17-year-old Fabio Pozzoni, with his first Motorally experience.

MASSIMO RIVOLA
"We are heading into this new season as winners and are very motivated. We have a couple of really strong riders, including the Africa Eco Race champion, Jacopo Cerutti, plus Francesco Montanari. We are also delighted to welcome Claudio Spanu who, despite his tender age, has a very impressive CV at international level. In addition, we’re also saying hello to our younger lineup, with Pettinari, Salucci and Pozzoni."

CLAUDIO SPANU
"I’d like to thank Aprilia for this amazing opportunity. Riding for an official manufacturer is another career goal ticked off for me. Coming from enduro, this new Motorally experience will no doubt be a highly motivating challenge. The Guareschi team has built a really competitive bike, and I can't wait to get into the saddle and give it everything I’ve got."