Solid performance by Aprilia Tuareg Racing in the second stage of the 2025 Africa Eco Race

DOUBLE PODIUM: JACOPO CERUTTI SECOND AND FRANCESCO MONTANARI THIRD

On the second stage of the 2025 Africa Eco Race, from Targa to Tagounite, Team Aprilia Tuareg Racing put in a solid and convincing performance, with Jacopo Cerutti and Francesco Montanari taking second and third place overall respectively.

The second stage, about 358 km long, was the first true step into the desert, with sand and the first dunes to cross, along with increased navigational difficulty. The riders headed towards Tagounite, where they had to tackle a combination of fast and tricky tracks typical of this desert.

Jacopo Cerutti, defending champion and winner of the first stage, started first and maintained a solid pace, finishing second overall, just +2’52’’ behind the stage winner. Behind him was Francesco Montanari, who demonstrated significant improvement in the second stage, taking the third place overall at a +32’47’’ behind the leader. New-entry, Marco Menichini, also put in a good performance, finishing sixth overall at +40’33’’.

JACOPO CERUTTI 
“The second stage went well. I started well, blazing the trail, which is extremely complicated with this navigation. It rained over the last few days and that makes the trails hard to see, so it is rather demanding. In any case, I did really well despite a few mistakes around the hundredth kilometre which allowed the rider behind me to get close. The third stage will be even longer, but I’m confident because I have an outstanding feeling with the bike.” 

FRANCESCO MONTANARI
“The second stage went well; I navigated well. I started off fine, trying not to make any mistakes and to maintain a good pace for the entire day and, in the end, it paid off with the third-place overall position. I’m happy with the bike. My team has done a great job, and I was able to do well thanks to them as well.”