SPECTACULAR IMAGES TELL THE STORY OF THE EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS OF APRILIA TUAREG, WHICH DOMINATED IN ITS DESERT DEBUT, IN THE GRUELLING AFRICA ECO RACE 2024. RELIVE ALL THE THRILLS OF THIS HISTORIC VICTORY, FROM THE CONCERNS ON THE EVE OF THE RACE TO THE PURE JOY OF ARRIVING AT THE LEGENDARY “LAC ROSE” IN DAKAR
1st July 2024 - Last January, Aprilia Tuareg went down in history with one of the most epic performances of recent years in the big African rally raids: on its desert début, the Italian twin-cylinder ridden by Jacopo Cerutti dominated the Africa Eco Race 2024 - an incredible ride, with Jacopo and his Tuareg remaining in the lead along the 6,000 plus kilometres of this legendary route from Europe to Dakar, Senegal, which crosses both Morocco and Mauritania.
This historic feat is revisited as part of a stunning documentary made by Piaggio Studios in collaboration with Punctum Image: APRILIA TUAREG QUEEN OF AFRICA, which premièred on 8 June during the huge Aprilia All Stars party, is now available to all online, at APRILIA.COM and on Aprilia's official YouTube channel.
APRILIA TUAREG QUEEN OF AFRICA – AFRICA ECO RACE 2024:
www.aprilia.com/it_IT/aprilia-racing/aprilia-tuareg-racing/africa-eco-race
The video condenses a world of emotions into just 20 minutes of footage, with the most amazing images of the race and interviews with the stars: riders Jacopo Cerutti and Francesco Montanari and brothers Vittoriano and Gianfranco Guareschi of GCorse, Aprilia Racing's operational arm in the field of competitive riding.
From left, Jacopo Cerutti, #111, and Francesco Montanari, #122.
It was a challenging and highly demanding production during which the team and the crew remained close, following the protagonists for a fortnight: from the preparations on the eve of the race start to the celebrations on the shores of the famous Lac Rose (“pink lake”) in Dakar. The documentary delves deeply into the feelings, expectations, challenges and fears experienced by both drivers and team, during a race that is as intriguing as it is unpredictable. An unprecedented, profoundly human glimpse behind the scenes of a unique challenge, for people and vehicles alike.
The video also revisits the victories of the first two days, which enabled Cerutti to create and then expertly manage his advantage against strong opponents such as Botturi and Tarres, both on Yamaha bikes, who kept up the attack in an attempt to regain the upper hand.
For Francesco Montanari, too, emotions were running high - as an absolute beginner, he reached the Dakar finish line with two stage podiums, as well as maintaining a constant presence at the top of the speciality classifications, eventually taking home a great finish with eighth place.
The wonderful images captured during the 12 days in the African desert also reveal the deep respect that exists between rivals and the strong sense of community that develops between all participants in the rally.
