VICTORY FOR APRILIA TUAREG RACING IN THE THIRD ROUND OF THE ITALIAN MOTORALLY IN GIOIA DEI MARSI

Thomas Marini #8.

THOMAS MARINI WINS THE OVERALL STANDINGS ON DAY 2, WHILE MARCO MENICHINI TAKES THIRD IN CLASS

Marco Menichini #20.

Milan, 22 June 2026 – The Italian Motorally Championship resumed in Gioia dei Marsi, Abruzzo region, which hosted the third round of the season under the Aprilia Tuareg Racing banner. Thomas Marini was among the weekend's standout performers, claiming an incredible victory in the overall standings on the second day of racing and consequently securing first place in the G-1000 class for twin-cylinder bikes.

Thomas Marini #8.

Thomas Marini entered the event as the leader of the overall class standings and went on to dominate Sunday's special stage, securing victory for the Tuareg Rally in the day's overall classification. This was the perfect bounce back following a challenging Day 1, in which he still managed to achieve third place in his class. The San Marino rider also performed strongly in the second round of the Rally Raid TT, also held in Gioia dei Marsi, finishing third in the RT5 class.

Marco Menichini #20.

Marco Menichini also put in a strong performance, concluding the second day of racing in third place in the G-1000 class. This result brings another Aprilia Tuareg Rally to the category podium and improves on his sixth-place finish in the class standings on Saturday. Thanks to these results, Menichini takes home crucial points for the general class standings, which still see Marini in the lead. Francesco Montanari also had a consistent round, finishing eighth and sixth in his category. Paolo Pettinari also enjoyed a solid weekend, securing three podium finishes in the GPX class.

Francesco Montanari #44.

Overall, Aprilia Tuareg Racing can be highly satisfied with the outcome of the Gioia dei Marsi weekend. Marini's day victory highlights the Tuareg Rally's competitiveness, as well as the great work of Team Guareschi. The twin-cylinder bike from Noale once again proves to be a winning machine, seamlessly combining reliability, performance and innovation.

The next event for Aprilia Tuareg Racing is the third round of the European Tout Terrain Rally Cup, scheduled on 10–18 July in Râmnicu Sărat, Romania, which will feature current overall standings leader Jacopo Cerutti alongside Thomas Marini. Following that, upon returning from the summer break, the team will compete in the fourth round of the Italian Motorally Championship, scheduled in Umbertide on 12–13 September, featuring class leader Marini, as well as Marco Menichini and Francesco Montanari.

Thomas Marini #8.

THOMAS MARINI: “I am very happy with the victory in the overall standings; it is a truly important result for our twin-cylinder bike. Unfortunately, on Saturday we had a small issue that cost me some time in the special stage, but in the evening the team worked hard to resolve it, and on Sunday the bike was perfect. I felt really good out there and managed to put together a great special stage, pushing hard right from the start without making any mistakes. The feeling with the Tuareg Rally is very good; we are working very well together with the team, and we need to keep this up because we are on the right track.”

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VITTORIANO GUARESCHI: “It was an intense weekend due to the heat, which was a tough test for everyone, including both riders and bikes. Thomas did an absolutely amazing job. He started Sunday's long special stage very determined and achieved a massive victory in the overall standings. Thanks to this result, he remains first in the general class standings and has gained a few points on his rivals since the start of the weekend. Marco also performed well, securing a podium finish and valuable points for the class standings, in which he is now third. Now we get straight back to work, as we are leaving shortly for the third round of the European Championship in Romania, the longest of the season with eight full days of racing. We will then take advantage of the summer break to recharge and arrive fully prepared for the Motorally round in Umbertide, where we can expect similar conditions to those in Gioia dei Marsi.”

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